Nurses' perceptions of their health education and health promotion role when caring for hospitalised people who have diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to document and explore the perceived role of nurses and their attitudes and beliefs when providing health promotion strategies and health education for hospitalised people who have diabetes mellitus (diabetes). As part of the exploratory, descriptive study key steps undertaken included : 1/. Determining the strategies the nurses currently use to provide health promotion and health education to patients; 2/. Documenting of the role nurses play in referring people to diabetes educators; 3/. and 3/. Determining the extent to which nurses feel able to fulfil the roles of health promotion and health education. The study reported in this thesis was conducted in Western Sydney within a socially, culturally and economically diverse population. Study participants were nurses working in medical or surgical wards. The study reveals that nurses require support from all levels of the healthcare system. Additionally, all levels of the healthcare system need to work together to investigate, implement and evaluate new models of care that are responsive to the dynamic state of the contemporary health care systems.

Date of Award	2004
Original language	English