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Nurse‐led empowerment strategies for patients with hypertension: a questionnaire survey
Author(s) -
Rasjö Wrååk G.,
Törnkvist L.,
Hasselström J.,
Wändell P.E.,
Josefsson K.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international nursing review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1466-7657
pISSN - 0020-8132
DOI - 10.1111/inr.12174
Subject(s) - medicine , empowerment , psychological intervention , nursing , intervention (counseling) , randomized controlled trial , blood pressure , health care , nursing interventions classification , family medicine , physical therapy , surgery , political science , law , economics , radiology , economic growth
Background Hypertension is common and may lead to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events and mortality. District nurses frequently encounter patients requiring blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle counsel and support. Empowerment as a method enables patients to both increase their control over their health and improve it. Aim This study aims to describe the effects of the counsel and support from district nurses to patients with hypertension. Methods A randomized controlled intervention trial. Questionnaires were answered by patients with hypertension before and after the intervention comprising district nurses' counsel and support based upon empowerment. A specially developed card for blood pressure monitoring was also used. Results Blood pressure decreased in intervention and the control groups. The intervention group experienced significantly improved health, with better emotional and physical health, and reduced stress. Living habits did not change significantly in either group. Satisfaction with knowledge of hypertension increased significantly in both groups. The intervention group reported that their care was based upon their health needs. Limitations Conducting large multi‐centre studies with long follow‐ups is complicated and results sometimes have a tendency to decline with time. A shorter follow‐up might have shown a greater difference between the groups. Conclusion Nursing interventions through district nurses' counsel and support with empowerment improved patients' health. More research is needed to evaluate nursing interventions' effect on hypertension. Implications for nursing and health policy This study highlighted that district nurses' counsel and support increased patients' health and decreased stress by focusing on empowerment.