An efficacy trial of lifestyle risk factor management delivered by generalist community nurses

This study aims to evaluate the impact of a brief intervention delivered by community nurses in routine practice on the change in clients’ lifestyle risk factors.The trial will use a quasi experimental design involving four generalist community nursing sites in NSW Australia. Sites will be randomly allocated to ‘early intervention’ group or ‘late intervention’ (comparison) group. ‘Early intervention’ sites will be provided with training and support for nurses in identifying and offering brief lifestyle intervention for clients during routine consultations. ‘Late intervention’ sites’ will provide usual care and be offered the study intervention following the final data collection point. A total of 720 eligible generalist community nursing clients will be recruited at the time of referral from both early and late intervention sites. Data collection consists of 1) telephone surveys with clients at baseline, three months and six months to examine change in SNAP risk factors and readiness change 2) nurse survey at baseline, six and 12 months to examine changes in SNAP risk factor confidence, attitudes and practices 3) semi-structured interviews/focus with nurses, managers and clients in ‘early intervention’ sites to explore the feasibility, acceptability and sustainability of the intervention. The study will provide evidence about the effectiveness and feasibility of brief lifestyle interventions delivered by generalist community nurses as part of routine practice. This will inform future community nursing practice and Primary health care (PHC) policy.