Nurse-Directed Services: How Can They be Made More Effective?

In an era of evidence-based health care, it is important to ensure that there is an effective and efficient use of resources in order to achieve the desired outcomes.

Abstract

The need and the demand for health care is increasing at a faster rate than the increase in resources available for providing it. This is due to four interrelated factors: an ageing population; the development of new technology and knowledge; rising patient expectations; and greater professional expectations [1]. In an era of evidence-based health care, it is important to ensure that there is an effective and efficient use of resources in order to achieve the desired outcomes. The emphasis on effectiveness and efficiency in health care has been apparent over the past decade [2 and 3], although the notion was espoused 30 years ago [4. A.L. Cochrane Effectiveness and efficiency. Random reflections of health services, Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust, London (1971).4]