Abstract: A submitted for the degree of Master of Health Sciences(Nursing Clinical)at The University of Otago, Christchurch.
This study examined the role of an advanced nurse practitioner in the identification, diagnosis and management of patients referred to an IBS nurse led clinic with symptoms of IBS as their primary problem. Items of interest were identification of the causes of symptoms, the effects of symptoms on quality of life (QOL), coping strategies of the patient, and patient satisfaction with care. These were measured by prospective data on two questionnaires given several months apart. In addition, some basic retrospective data were collected from a database of information on prior patients, to determine that the study subjects were representative of the IBS practice.