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To synthesise the literature around the roles of general practice nurses (GPNs) and the barriers and facilitators of their role.
Integrative literature review using Whittemore and Knafls framework.
Papers were exported into Covidence for screening. Quality was appraised using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Data were extracted into a summary table and analysed using thematic analysis.
CINAHL, Medline, and Google Scholar were used to identify papers published between January 2000 and February 2025 in English that reported primary research about GPN roles.
Twelve papers were included in the review. The four overarching themes were role characteristics, the clinical role, the non-clinical role, and barriers and enablers. Findings suggest ambiguity surrounding the GPN role, with inconsistent perspectives and overlapping responsibilities contributing to underutilisation. GPNs played an important role in continuity of care and reported a desire to spend more time on health promotion, health education and assessment. GPNs were leaders in collaboration as they functioned as agents of connectivity for patients and staff. The GPN role faces both barriers and enablers, with the organisational structure, interprofessional relationships, and professional development.
The GPN role offers an opportunity to enhance access to general practice care. However, there is limited and mixed literature describing the roles of GPNs. Future research should more closely explore the current practice of GPNs to inform policy and optimal utilisation of the workforce to the full extent of their practice scope.
Understanding the complex roles of GPNs requires more robust data on clinical activity. These data would have the potential to inform ways to optimise the GPN role within the multidisciplinary team.
This study adhered to the PRISMA reporting guideline.
This review did not include patient or public involvement.
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