Expansion of the scope of nursing practice in community-based primary care: Addressing China’s aging population and noncommunicable diseases with prescribing authority

Abstract

This commentary addresses the urgent need to reform China’s primary care system in response to its rapidly aging population and the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). It advocates for a nurse-led primary care model within community healthcare centers, emphasizing the expansion of nursing roles. The analysis reviews nurse prescribing trials in Anhui, Sichuan, and Shenzhen, discussing their successes and limitations. Introducing the concept of community-based specialized nurses (CBSNs), it draws insights from South Africa's nurse-led practices in NCDs management practices. The goal is to modernize nursing role by advocating for expanded prescribing authority, enhanced regulation, and specialized qualifications. This commentary also explores how CBSNs can effectively operate within community settings nationwide to address the growing threat of NCDs among China’s aging population. The proposed nurse-led model offers a transformative solution to China’s healthcare system and sets a global precedent for addressing similar challenges in other nations.