NURSING

The role of the adult nurse in an inter-professional context in the health promotion and prevention of disease

The role of the adult nurse in an inter-professional context in the health promotion and prevention of disease

Introduction

Alcohol misuse is the global health issue that needs to be addressed by the doctors, nurses, health care professionals and health care organizations. The role of the patient, nurse and professional carer all has equal responsibility in prevention of the alcohol misuse (King and Ross, 2003, pp.51). Nurses which constitute the largest body of health care providers as compared to the patients and carers in the health care communities are potential resource to address the prevention through inter-professional role to screen and provide brief intervention to the patients with the alcohol misuse (Barr, 2002). The effect of educational programs in this regard have been conducted to the guide the nurses to enhance their attitudes, beliefs and confidence in screening and intervention of the alcohol misuse patients. For example the one empirical study conducted at the Vanderbilt University School of nursing, which entails the involvement of the more than 100 nursing students show, that educational intervention and training programs to nurses have significant impact on the health of the patients and general populace (Vadlamudi et al, 2008, pp.290). The study shows that contains the four-hour educational intervention training program which brief negotiated intervention (BNI) of how to screen, detect and provide brief treatment to the alcohol misuse. The results show the positive results on the nurses' attitudes, beliefs and confidence and the treatment of alcohol misuse.

Role of Nurses

Further, Nurses have an important role in the health promotion activities related to the alcohol misuse. For the better nursing care, a nurse should be knowledgeable about the drinking patterns of the people and the reasons for their intake of alcohol misuse (A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, 2011). According to the International Association of Forensic Nurses (2012), the nurses play an important role in the prevention of alcohol abuse the patients. Alcohol is very dangerous form of the drug that is widely used and abused. Alcohol is also defined as untreatable diseases which have no particular medicine or cure that help the patient to overcome this disease. Only the careful guidance, motivation and support and other methods which strengthen his will power will do something to overcome this disease. Since, then more and more nurses are demanded to deal with these kinds of patients of alcohol misuse who find difficulties in overcoming their alcohol addictions as their healthcare support can greatly lead to the successful patient recovery in the meantime. The assessment of the nurse in indentifying the alcohol dependence is highly imperative since most patients do not even know they have a problem. A nurse will not only identify his/her disease but also provide assistance in finding the possible precautions and treatments. The nurse can also warn the patients of how much alcohol is harmful to their body and mind in both short and long ...