Registrars, Nurses and Allied Health

We have examined the work relationship of registrars and practice nurses and referrals to dieticians/nutritionists. Our analyses suggest practice nurses are playing a role in addressing the healthcare needs of under-serviced groups (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and non-English speaking background patients) but may be underutilised in chronic disease care. We found that established patients with chronic disease and complex care needs are more likely than other patients to be referred by registrars to dietitians/nutritionists. Dietitian/nutritionist referrals may thus represent a facet of patients’ complex care needs with which registrars engage meaningfully.