Distriktssköterskans hälsofrämjande och förebyggande arbete relaterat till stress

: En kvalitativ intervjustudie

Abstract

Background: The number of people suffering from stress-related mental and physical health problems increase. The basis of district nurses work is to prevent illness and promote health. Aim: The purpose of this paper was to describe how the district nurses experience their health promotion and preventive work related to stress. Method: A qualitative study was conducted through interviews with 16 district nurses, working in nine different health care centers in Skåne. Data analysis was carried out with qualitative content analysis based on an inductive approach. Results: The results showed that the district nurses worked with health promotion and prevention related to stress either by providing "self-help" or as a result of lack of time, opportunity and guidelines, handed over responsibility for stress management of patients by referring them to a more suitable healthcare provider. District nurses worked actively by providing self-care advice, encouraged and gave the patient tools to change their situation. Conclusion: To strengthen the district nurses' health promotion and preventive role and encourage more stress prevention requires to make the district nurses' work visible. National guidelines and recommendations that support the stress prevention, and the time and training to broaden their knowledge is also necessary. If not, patients suffering from stress will be referred to colleagues in other disciplines to a greater extent than is necessary.