Abstract
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) cohort review was implemented nationally in Wales in 2012 as a systematic process for reviewing all notified cases of TB and evaluating outcomes to improve service delivery. Local TB teams collect outcome data, and then all notified cases are presented for discussion and expert feedback at a multi-disciplinary, all-Wales CR meeting.
Aims: Nurses are crucial in national TB control programs in low-incidence countries, carrying out resource-intensive activities such as contact tracing. This qualitative study aims to explore nurses’ experiences of cohort review, identify successes, and explore barriers to improving TB care.
Methods: Questionnaires were developed using Microsoft Forms and distributed electronically to all nurses involved in TB care across Wales. They used a mixture of Likert-scale and open-ended questions. Qualitative data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Questionnaire responses were collected from 19/23 (82.6%) nurses. Responses highlighted significant regional disparities in time and resource allocations to TB nursing teams. Thematic analysis results broadly aligned with the quantitative findings, identifying essential areas such as the lack of consultant support and the emotional impacts of presenting at meetings. Despite these challenges, nurses reported that the implementation of CR has improved TB care and fostered a stronger community of TB professionals across Wales.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the necessity of dedicated, well-resourced TB nursing teams in low-incidence countries to ensure the sustainability of high-quality TB care.