Overall the Walk-in Centre is perceived by most stakeholders to have improved access to primary care; however it is perceived that this impact could be greater if the scope of practice of the staff were extended and expanded.
Since undertaking CFT training, participants described a greater awareness of their role and scope of practice as clinicians in identifying and addressing these factors.
Private sector physiotherapist reported greater decision-making autonomy over their scope of practice, which was guided by their business model and aligned to their areas of expertise.
Interviews were also conducted with medication endorsed nurses to gain a greater understanding about the course and their expanded scope of practice.
Consumers revealed that greater clarity around the practice nurse role and their scope of practice may enhance their utilisation.
While healthcare providers and patients felt that addressing spiritual issues fell within the scope of practice of a number of interdisciplinary team members, one of the greatest inhibitors identified by both participant groups seemed to be healthcare providers themselves.
Mtonga and Ndhovlu (2001) say Zambia purposely increased the scope of practice of nurses and midwives in the Nurses Act of 1997 to provide for a greater set of tasks to be carried out.
