Introduction
The role of the adult nurse within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) is pivotal in ensuring holistic care for patients with chronic conditions such as asthma. Asthma, a prevalent respiratory condition affecting millions in the UK, requires comprehensive management to prevent exacerbations and improve quality of life. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), asthma affects approximately 5.4 million individuals in the UK, underscoring the need for effective collaborative care (NICE, 2017). This essay aims to appraise the adult nurse’s role in the MDT when caring for adult patients with asthma, focusing on professional, ethical, and legal frameworks that guide practice. Key points will include the nurse’s responsibilities in patient assessment and education, collaboration with other healthcare professionals, adherence to ethical principles, and compliance with legal standards. By examining these aspects, the essay highlights the nurse’s integral contribution to patient outcomes in asthma management.
The Adult Nurse’s Professional Responsibilities in Asthma Care
Adult nurses play a central role in the MDT by providing direct care and coordinating interventions for patients with asthma. Professionally, they are guided by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code, which mandates nurses to prioritise patient safety, deliver evidence-based care, and work collaboratively (NMC, 2018). One key responsibility is conducting thorough assessments to identify asthma triggers and monitor symptom severity. For instance, nurses often use tools such as peak flow meters to evaluate lung function, enabling timely interventions (British Thoracic Society, 2019). Moreover, they educate patients on inhaler techniques and self-management plans, which are critical in preventing acute exacerbations. However, challenges may arise due to varying patient health literacy levels, requiring nurses to adapt communication strategies accordingly.
Additionally, adult nurses act as advocates within the MDT, ensuring that patient needs are addressed during care planning. This involves liaising with respiratory consultants, pharmacists, and physiotherapists to tailor treatments, such as adjusting corticosteroid doses or prescribing bronchodilators. While their role is indispensable, there are limitations; for example, nurses may lack the authority to make final diagnostic or prescribing decisions, often relying on medical colleagues. Nevertheless, their ongoing patient interaction positions them uniquely to identify subtle changes in condition, making their input vital to the team’s decision-making process.
Collaboration within the Multidisciplinary Team
Effective collaboration within the MDT is essential for managing asthma, and the adult nurse often serves as a central coordinator. According to Scullion and Holmes (2017), integrated care involving nurses, general practitioners, respiratory specialists, and allied health professionals significantly improves asthma outcomes. For instance, nurses frequently organise case conferences to ensure all team members are aligned on a patient’s treatment plan, thus minimising care duplication. They also facilitate referrals to pulmonary rehabilitation programmes or psychological support services if stress or anxiety exacerbates asthma symptoms.
However, interdisciplinary collaboration can present challenges, such as communication barriers or differing professional priorities. Nurses must therefore employ strong interpersonal skills to mediate and ensure cohesive care delivery. Furthermore, they contribute to shared decision-making by providing detailed patient reports, which inform adjustments to care plans. While their role is sometimes under-recognised compared to medical staff, adult nurses arguably form the backbone of consistent patient support, bridging gaps between various MDT members. This collaborative effort is particularly critical in complex cases where comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, complicate asthma management.
Ethical Considerations in Asthma Care
Ethical frameworks profoundly shape the adult nurse’s approach to caring for patients with asthma. The NMC Code emphasises principles such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence (NMC, 2018). In practice, respecting autonomy means involving patients in decisions about their care, such as choosing between different inhaler types or discussing potential side effects of long-term steroid use. Adult nurses must ensure informed consent by providing clear, comprehensible information, a task that can be challenging if patients are anxious or distrustful of medical interventions.
Moreover, ethical dilemmas may arise when balancing beneficence with resource constraints. For example, a nurse might advocate for a costly biologics treatment for severe asthma, knowing that NHS funding limitations could delay access. Indeed, navigating such issues requires sensitivity and a commitment to fairness, ensuring that care remains equitable. Nurses must also maintain confidentiality, particularly when documenting sensitive information about mental health triggers for asthma. Breaches in confidentiality, even unintentional, can erode patient trust and compromise the therapeutic relationship, highlighting the importance of ethical vigilance in day-to-day practice.
Legal Frameworks Guiding Nursing Practice
Legal frameworks provide a structure for accountability and safety in asthma care. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 mandates that healthcare providers, including nurses, deliver services that meet quality and safety standards in the UK (Department of Health, 2012). Adult nurses must therefore ensure that their interventions align with clinical guidelines, such as those from NICE, which outline stepwise asthma management protocols (NICE, 2017). Failure to adhere to these standards could result in legal repercussions, such as negligence claims, if patient harm occurs due to inadequate care.
Additionally, nurses must comply with legislation like the Mental Capacity Act 2005 when patients lack the capacity to make decisions about their treatment. For instance, if an asthma patient experiences hypoxia-induced confusion during an exacerbation, nurses must act in the patient’s best interests while documenting all decisions transparently. While legal compliance is generally straightforward, complex cases—particularly those involving refusal of life-saving treatment—can test a nurse’s ability to balance legal duties with ethical principles. Regular training and reflection on legal responsibilities are thus essential to maintain competence and protect both patient and practitioner.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the role of the adult nurse within the MDT is multifaceted and indispensable when caring for adult patients with asthma. Professionally, nurses undertake critical tasks such as assessment, education, and advocacy, ensuring personalised care despite occasional limitations in authority. Their collaboration with other healthcare professionals fosters integrated asthma management, though communication challenges may arise. Ethically, nurses uphold principles of autonomy and beneficence, navigating dilemmas with sensitivity to ensure patient dignity. Legally, adherence to frameworks like the NMC Code and NICE guidelines safeguards practice and patient safety. Collectively, these dimensions underscore the nurse’s pivotal contribution to improving asthma outcomes. Looking forward, continued professional development and interprofessional training could further enhance the nurse’s ability to address complex care needs, ultimately benefiting patients and the wider healthcare system. This analysis highlights not only the challenges but also the profound impact of nursing within the MDT, reinforcing the need for recognition and support for this critical role.
References
- British Thoracic Society. (2019) BTS/SIGN British Guideline on the Management of Asthma. British Thoracic Society.
- Department of Health. (2012) Health and Social Care Act 2012. UK Government.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2017) Asthma: Diagnosis, Monitoring and Chronic Asthma Management. NICE.
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). (2018) The Code: Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour for Nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates. NMC.
- Scullion, J. and Holmes, S. (2017) Collaborative Care in Asthma Management: The Role of the Nurse. British Journal of Nursing, 26(5), pp. 278-283.
