Nurses leading male lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) clinics: A scoping review

Abstract

Nurse-led clinics are known to positively impact and benefit patients; however, there is little understanding of the role of the nurse in a nurse-led male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) clinic. LUTS affect up to 30% of males over 65 in the United Kingdom and can significantly impact the quality of life of the person experiencing them. LUTS can be managed with conservative changes, as well as with medication and surgical intervention. The aim of this scoping review is to map what is known about the role of the nurse in a nurse-led male LUTS clinic and what research tells us regarding, the barriers and enablers in nurses leading a male LUTS clinic. This scoping review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SCR) checklist and the methodological guidelines set out by the Joanna Briggs institute. A literature search was carried out over three databases (CINAHL, Medline Ovid, ProQuest health and medical collection) and systematically searched from 2000 to 2021. Grey literature was also searched, and citation chaining was undertaken. Following a systematic review of the literature, four papers met the inclusion criteria for this scoping review. The emergent themes across the four papers consisted of structure, assessment and resources, and effectiveness of the nurse-led male LUTS clinic. There was clear agreement across the literature regarding the investigations and assessment the nurse should carry out. Ongoing practical, theoretical, and observational training and education is required to ensure the nurse is competent in running a male LUTS clinic. The papers reviewed showed the nurse provided a supportive role to the consultant. However, there is evidence indicating there is a move towards autonomous practice. There is a dearth of the current research relating to the role of the nurse in nurse-led male LUTS clinics and the enablers and barriers in nurses leading male LUTS clinics. Further research should be considered to gain a better understanding of where nurse-led male LUTS clinics currently take place, what the role of the nurse is in leading a LUTS clinic and what enablers and barriers exist.