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Weight management care practices of E nglish and C hinese nurses
Author(s) -
Zhu D.Q.,
While A.E.,
Norman I.J.,
Ye W.Q.
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.12219
Subject(s) - weight management , nursing , psychological intervention , health care , medicine , cross sectional study , china , family medicine , psychology , obesity , weight loss , pathology , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Background Obesity is a growing global public health problem which requires all healthcare professionals to deliver weight management care within their roles. Aim To describe nurses' perceived barriers, skills and practices regarding weight‐related care and explore differences between E nglish and C hinese nurses. Methods A cross‐sectional, self‐administered questionnaire survey was distributed to 588 E nglish nurses employed in a range of clinical settings and healthcare organizations and attending a large university in L ondon ( O ctober– N ovember 2010), and 519 C hinese nurses working in one of the largest hospitals in S hanghai, C hina ( F ebruary– A pril 2011). Perceived barriers, skills and practices regarding weight‐related care were measured. Data analysis was undertaken using responses from 399 E nglish and 466 C hinese nurses. Results E nglish and C hinese nurses reported similar barriers to undertaking weight‐related care practices which included two relatively new barriers, namely complex patients and the absence of clear practice guidelines. Both E nglish and C hinese nurses reported being moderately skilled to perform weight‐related care practices with the most mean skill scores at the moderate level. Up to 11–54% of the E nglish nurses and 10–25% of the C hinese nurses reported providing recommended weight‐related interventions for most of their patients. Generally, the E nglish nurses reported more barriers, high‐level skills and practices regarding weight‐related care than the Chinese nurses. Limitations The convenience samples and self‐report data may have been sources of bias. Conclusions A variety of barriers and limited skills may help explain the suboptimal weight‐related practices among the nurses. Implications for nursing and health policy Skill development of pre‐registration and qualified nurses is indicated as well as the development of the nurse role to include weight management care of obese patients. Evidence‐based guidelines should be readily accessible to support the nurse role in weight‐related care.