Impact of Family and Community Nurse in the metropolitan city of Rome: a pilot feasibility study

Abstract Background To strengthen community-based primary care in line with Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan and Ministerial Decree 77/2022 in 2022 a pilot intervention was launched in District 9 of Local Health Unit Roma 2. The initiative introduced the Family and Community Health Nurse (FCHN), targeting the 45-65 age group with the goal of promoting healthy behaviours. Methods A feasibility study was conducted to assess implementation and preliminary outcomes. Participants were recruited through general practitioners (GPs) and invited to a structured health interview conducted by the FCHN, which included a 30-item questionnaire addressing behavioural risk factors and personal health goals. The intervention consisted of counselling, health education, and referral to local services. Descriptive analysis was used to profile participants, and changes in behaviours and screening adherence were tested using chi-square statistics. Results The study involved 3 FCHNs, 11 GPs, and 51 participants, of whom 44 (86.3%) completed the intervention. The sample was mostly female (77.3%), with a mean age of 54.2 (SD ± 5.7). The main health risks identified were physical inactivity (54.5%), smoking (27.3%), and low adherence to screening programmes. Psychosocial burden was reported by 52.3%. At follow-up, 38.6% of participants adhered to at least one screening. Regarding the implementation process, the feasibility assessment identified several areas for improvement: intervention acceptability and retention (loss to follow-up), fidelity (need for standardized educational and data collection tools), and long-term sustainability (ensuring broad and equitable access to the service across the target population). Conclusions The pilot confirms the FCHN model is feasible in urban settings, with promising behaviour changes. The post-pilot feasibility assessment will be conducted under the Age-It project. Further work should ensure standardization and sustainability. Key messages • The FCHN model is feasible in urban contexts and shows the promising impact on behaviour and screening adherence. • Standardized tools and long-term strategies are needed to ensure sustainability of FCHN services.