Strengthening Primary Health through Task Shifting: Nurses as Catalysts in NCD Prevention – A Narrative Review

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rising sharply in India, placing increasing pressure on primary healthcare systems already facing critical workforce shortages. Task shifting - delegating selected responsibilities from physicians to nurses—has emerged as a promising, scalable strategy. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led task shifting in the prevention and management of NCDs within Indian primary care settings. Methods: Guided by the PICOT framework, this narrative review examined studies involving adults with or at risk of NCDs in primary care. Nurse-led interventions (screening, counseling, follow-up) were compared with physician-led or usual care. Outcomes assessed included NCD detection, clinical parameters, and treatment adherence. Studies published between 2018 and 2023 with intervention duration ≥6 months were included. A total of 20 studies were synthesized using PRISMA guidelines. Results: Nurse-led care models demonstrated improvements in early NCD detection, risk factor control, and treatment adherence. However, implementation was hindered by regulatory restrictions, inadequate training, and limited resources. Conclusion: Task shifting to nurses strengthens NCD prevention and management in India. Expanding these models requires supportive policies, structured training programs, and enhanced primary care infrastructure.