Re: Nurse management of HIV-infected patients

[Guest guest]

Dear Editor,

Re: /message/12010

There is lot of discussion going on the issue of task shifting and skill

dilution to address the human resource crisis in both developed and developing

world.

When we attempt any of these there will be both positive and negative impact and

any attempt should be evaluated properly.

Indian ART program has a provision for prescription by nurse in the original

guideline (inside ART clinic) but it was not accepted widely.

The link ART centers being opened in various parts of the country

actually follow almost the same pattern of nurse centered program described in

the study but the responsibility of dispensing is with a doctor trained in

basics of ART here.

Can we go further to a level of nurse practitioner in ART? probably yes if the

regimen is simple enough,if the system is ready to accept the task shifting, if

we are able to train the nurses and to continue to monitor, and audit the

prescriptions and responses on long term.

Task shifting should not end up in task avoiding either by doctor or the system.

Yes I have dream as i mentioned in this form long ago : a system through which

once a day tablets with out much side effects are provided through ASHA workers

with the help of electronic cards and card readers .

Dr Ajith

Trichur

--

Dr Ajithkumar.K

Asst Professor In Dermatology and Venereology

Medical college Chest Hospital

MG Kav,Trichur, Kerala ,India

Ph 04872333322 (res)9447226012

e-mail: Ajith <ajisudha@...>