Patients’ expectations of primary care nurse with respect to health education

Introduction. A very important part of a primary care nurse’s job is health education aimed at health improvement of families under her/his care. Nurse’s activities include spreading of knowledge on a healthy lifestyle, physical activities, healthy eating, fighting addictions and coping with stress.

Aim of the study. The purpose of the research was to recognize patients’ expectations regarding health education with respect to primary health nurses.

Material and methods. The research was conducted by means of the diagnostic poll method using own questionnaire. The tested group covered 115 patients being under care of Non-Public Medical Center NZOZ „Vita” in Bielsko-Biała.

Results. The tested population was diverse with respect to age, sex and civil status. The most numerous group consisted of married women, living in urban areas, aged 31–40 years. This group expected from the primary care nurses most of all efficient performance of procedures (85.2%) and advice regarding illness management (81.7%). Educational subjects, which patients would be glad to discuss with nurses are primarily advice regarding healthy eating (70%) and getting to know methods of coping with stress (67%). The most appreciated nurses’ features in the respondents’ opinion are: understanding, kindness and mental support (about 60%).

Conclusions. Tested patients expect from nurses first of all efficient performance of procedures and advice about how to manage illnesses. Patients primarily expect education with respect to coping with stress, healthy eating and fighting addictions. Patients appreciate most nurses’ kindness, mental support and knowledge.

Nursing Topics 2014; 22 (4): 496–502