Professional care in painful neuropathy: A pivotal role for the nurse practitioner

This thesis is written from the perspective of a nurse practitioner (NP) specialized in the care of painful small fiber neuropathy (SFN) and diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). NPs are nursing leaders in academic nursing care in chronic conditions, such as painful nerve damage. Damage to the sensory nerves in the arms and legs in patients with diabetes, such as painful SFN and DPN, causes typical complaints, such as a burning sensation, needle pricks, hypersensitivity to, for example touch, or a reduced sense of heat. DPN and DVN can seriously disrupt daily functioning, mobility and night sleep. NPs are important for education, knowledge and support in coping with these chronic conditions. Insight is given into:
• Substitution of care by NPs in the care for painful neuropathy
• Development of a patient satisfaction questionnaire for improving the quality of care
• Estimated healthcare costs from SFN
• Results of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins for SFN