Nurse practitioners have been widely used throughout Australia in private practice for many years. The work has been funded entirely by the orthopaedic surgeons themselves. The role has not been formally defined. The aim of this study was to demonstrate one aspect of the use of a nurse practitioner in gathering unbiased research information.

Using a software package, all carpal tunnel release patients by a single surgeon were identified. The patient names, phone numbers and date of surgery were isolated. A simple phone questionnaire was developed based on previous questionnaires in the literature regarding carpal tunnel surgery. The nurse practitioner was able to contact 30 of 50 patients by phone, despite the local population being transient. Patients were asked directly if their surgery had fixed their problem: 29/30 patients answered yes. However, only 25/30 had resolution of their pins and needles and 26/60 had resolution of their numbness. 26/30 had resumed their activities. 11/30 had undertaken formal hand therapy, 13/30 had informal exercises. 10/30 patients were insured with Workcover.

Self-audit is required as part of continuing education requirements, and is easily performed with the assistance of a nurse practitioner. Standardising questions is facilitated by the use of a nurse practitioner. Patients have significant difficulty understanding direct, formal questions, which is reflected in their variable answers. This study reiterates the success of carpal tunnel surgery and demonstrates a facet of the nurse practitioner role.