Balancing barriers and strategies: Nurses’ experiences of conducting lifestyle counseling

Objectives: Over 70% of the disease burden in Europe is the result of chronic diseases caused by lifestyle. Lifestyle counseling can improve lifestyle habits and thereby health. However, according to research, there are several barriers to healthcare personnel carrying out counseling. The aim of this study was to explore nurses’ experiences of conducting lifestyle counseling. 

Design: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in southern Sweden between August 2021 and December 2021. 

Sample: Eleven nurses were recruited from both inpatient and outpatient care in northeastern Sweden through a combination of purposive and snowball sampling.

Measurements: Individual semistructured interviews were performed digitally using an interview guide. The interviews were analyzed via qualitative content analysis. 

Results: The nurses experienced several challenges in performing lifestyle counseling. However, knowledge gaps, sensitive topics, organizational dynamics, and time constraints were balanced using strategies. The theme of their responses can be explained by the following categories: “Collaboration with patients is key,” “From self-interest to teamwork,” and “The organization can assist or hinder.”. ¨

Conclusions: Lifestyle counseling needs to be prioritized within healthcare. Nurses need tools and knowledge to be able to feel comfortable with the task. All healthcare organizations need to work with lifestyle counseling in a structured way according to national guidelines.