The aim of this study was to examine nurses' perceptions and practice of health education and health promotion in the acute care setting. Ward sisters (n=132) working on acute wards in nine District Health Authorities were interviewed using a semi-stuctured schedule. Data were collected on perceptions of health education and health promotion, nurses' role in these activities, and factors influencing nurses' health education and promotion practice on the ward. Data were analyzed using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. In the second phase of the study, three wards were selected as case studies of nurses' practice. Data collection methods employed to describe nurses' practice included: non-participant observation, audio-recording of nurse-patient interactions, self-administered questionnaires and reflective field notes. A largely qualitative approach was taken to the analysis of these data. The findings from the interviews indicated that the ward sisters had limited understandings of the meaning of health education and health promotion and nurses' roles in these activities. Findings from the case study wards as a whole suggested that nurses' health education and promotion practice was generally extremely limited, although there were some differences between wards in the extent of this evolution. A number of factors may help explain these findings. These include: nurses' knowledge and skills in health education and health promotion, the philosophy, organization and management of care adopted, and the extent to which these offer opportunities for empowerment in nursing. It is suggested that nurses' perceptions and practice can be conceptualized with reference to a continuum of health promoting nursing practice, and that only limited progress has been made towards nurses' full potential. It is argued that if nurses are to develop their health promoting practice, a philosophical shift in nursing is necessary. Together with the acquisition of appropriate knowledge and skills, this may empower nurses to realise their potential.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:309972 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Latter, Susan Marianne |
| Publisher | King's College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/health-education-and-health-promotion--perceptions-and-practice-of-nurses-in-acute-care-settings(ad41c917-a4f4-4db4-9e02-2f20555f91b5).html |
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