TY - JOUR T1 - The Activity of Rheumatology Nurses in Spain JO - Reumatología Clínica (English Edition) T2 - AU - Fernández Sánchez,Susana P. AU - Rusiñol Badals,Maria AU - Padró Blanch,Isabel AU - Paytubí Garí,Carlos AU - Laiz Alonso,Ana AU - Moragues Pastor,Carmen SN - 21735743 M3 - 10.1016/j.reumae.2016.02.005 DO - 10.1016/j.reumae.2016.02.005 UR - https://reumatologiaclinica.org/en-the-activity-rheumatology-nurses-in-articulo-S2173574316301083 AB - ObjectiveDescribe and analyze nursing activity in rheumatology. Material and methodsA cross-sectional study was performed in Spanish rheumatology departments. Results were based on surveys administered to rheumatology nurses. We included variables on socio-demographics, the setting and available resources, and the activities they carried out. Each activity was compared in terms of workplace, available resources and dedication exclusively to one field. ResultsSixty-seven surveys were collected from 57 hospitals in 17 Spanish autonomous communities. 97% of the nurses were women, with an average age of 48.9 years and an average nursing experience of 6 years. 56% of the professionals had gained their experience in outpatient clinics, 35% in day hospitals and 9% in inpatient and primary care. As for the availability of resources, 59% had their own office, 77.3% had a phone listing and 60% scheduled and conducted patient visits. Of the 19 activities included, those performed by the highest number of nurses were managing, monitoring and coordinating the use of biological drugs (90.9%), therapy monitoring (89.4%) and training patients in self-medication (89.4%).The activity in which nurses most frequently collaborated with physicians was the administration of local injections (51.5%). Other activities were teaching (50%) and research (78.8%) in their departments and studies in the nursing field (51.5%). Work in outpatient clinics vs day hospitals showed statistically significant differences for health education, nutrition, splinting and bandaging, and collaboration in ultrasound studies. ConclusionThese professionals performed a greater number of activities when they worked in outpatient clinics, had their own office and worked exclusively in rheumatology. ER -