Summary Some of the best-known consultation models derived from general practice are briefly described and discussed in terms of their relevance for nurse and pharmacist prescribers. The communication skills needed by the nurse prescriber are also considered, along with an introduction to the concept of the patient's health belief system. Some of the literature that compares nurse and GP consultations is also looked at, as is the concept of diagnosis by nurses. Concordance with medication and consultations with pharmacists are also mentioned.

Summary This article sets out to review recent research studies pertaining to the drug treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in infants. The main aims of treatment programmes are to resolve signs and symptoms of the infection; and minimise drug induced resistance, with minimal adverse side effects. A search for clinical evidence using Medline, Nursing Index and Embase between 1995 and 2003, produces no systemic reviews, no placebo controlled trials only three random control trials for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in infants. Three independent randomised control trials with samples of infants with oropharyngeal candidiasis (who were not immuno-compromised), compare the three main drug treatments of choice for infants, i.e. miconazole gel, clotrimazole (nystatin) suspension, and fluconazole suspension. The randomised trial of these infants found that miconazole gel had a significantly higher cure rate compared with nystatin suspension. At day 12 of the trial there was a 99% cure rate with the use of miconazole gel (25 mg QDS) compared to only a cure rate of 54% with nystatin suspension (100 000 IU QDS) (P> < 0.0001). The evidence from these studies suggest that miconazole gel (25 mg QDS) is the drug of choice for health visitors treating infants with oropharangeal candidiasis, as it is a safe and effective and cost effective treatment regime from birth.

Chapman S. ORCA: a new tool for the review of medication in asthma management. Nurse Prescribing 2004; 2(1): 20–24.

Feetam C and Newton G. Pharmacist prescribing in mental health. Hospital Pharmacist 2004; 11(2): 76–77.

Hennell SL et al. Competency and the use of clinical management plans in rheumatology practice. Nurse Prescribing 2004; 2(1): 26–30.

Green H. Nurse prescribing in the acute sector: one trust's experience. Nurse Prescribing 2004; 2(1): 9–14.

King RL. Nurses' perceptions of their pharmacological educational needs. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2004; 45(4): 392–400.

Rashid C. The new GMS contract: what does it mean for nurse prescribing? Nurse Prescribing 2004; 2(1): 6–8.

Barber N et al. Reducing prescribing error: competence, control and culture. Quality and Safety in Health Care 2003; 12 (suppl 1): i29–i32.

Guy J et al. Drug errors: what role do nurses and pharmacists have in minimizing the risk? Journal of Child Health Care 2003; 7(4): 277–290.

Aronson JK. Editors' View. Nurse prescribers & reporters. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2004; 56: 585–587.

Latter S and Courtenay M. Effectiveness of nurse prescribing: a review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2003; 13: 26–32.

Driver C. Travel Vaccinations. Practice Nurse 2004; 27(1): 20–27.