Table 1.

Components of CNSs interventions.

Activity	Description	Reference
Clinical consultation (or follow-up) in hospital/nursing home	Patient assessment and care, taking clinical history, physical examination, review signs and symptoms, check vital signs.	25,29,31,32,34,36,54,63,66,78,83,84,89,91–96
Clinical consultation (or follow-up) at home		16,18,21,27,29–36,40,45,49–51,62,64,66,67,73–77,79,84–86,88,90,97
Clinical consultation (or follow-up) in specialist clinic or outpatient setting		16,17,24,27,28,30,31,33,34,35,41,44,46,48,52–59,65,68,70,98–101
Telephone consultation/follow up/contact		16–18,20,22,27–32,34,36–39,41–43,46,49,51,52,58,60,61,64,66,68–71,73–75,79,80,82,84–86,88,90
Request and review lab tests and images	Mammography, CT scan, colonoscopy, spirometry, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, etc. Electrolyte concentrations, urine, bloods, glucose, etc.	16,18,24,30,34,35,39,41,44,46–48,53,57,58,63–65,69,73,95
Prescription/adjustment of medicines	Titration and prescription of medicines. Discussion of management plan (usually following a protocol).	16–19,25,28–30,32,34,35,41,45,57–60,63–65,69,70,78,90,94,95
Education and enhancement of self-management	Patient and/or family education about the disease, causes and symptoms, treatment and life-style changes. Address patient’s concerns, and psycho-spiritual and social support.	16–18,20–22,24,26–28,30–32,34,36–38,40–42,47–49,51,52,55,57–59,61,62,65–74,76–80,82,84–88,90,92,93,95
		86,92a
Communication with treating physician and/or team	Discussing management plan and other concerns with consultant/specialists doctor or GP. Sometimes it also included the nurse giving recommendations regarding medication adjustment or treatment options to primary physician.	16–19,23,25,28–31,37,38,43,44,47,48,56,58–64,66,67,69,70,72,74–77,80,83–87,90–93,95
Referrals and/or administrative work/discharge planning	Referrals to cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation, GP, dietician, other specialities, to ER department, supportive services (e.g. Macmillan nurses, hospice). Includes a wide variety of administrative work (coordination of patient care among different providers). Also includes discharge planning and coordination of care.	17,18,22,24,25,27–29,34,35,47–49,52,54,57,62,66–68,72,77,79,81–85,87,88,90,91,93,95,99
Other	Tele-monitoring (monitoring of weight, blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm).	19,23,40,72
		94 b

^aEducation and/or supervision exclusively to staff.

^bAdvanced life support including early chest reopening and management of post-operative complications.