The Role of Nurses in Health Care Awareness
The health care industry is one of the most prominent sectors of the country. According to CDC reports, 600,000 people in the United States die every year due to heart disease. As documented, the health care cost in the United States was $3 trillion in 2014. This sums up to about 20% of the GDP. As the demographics evolve and chronic illnesses become rampant, these figures are expected to reach over $4.3 trillion. This is why the emphasis on health care and preventive medicine is gaining popularity.
When people take better care of themselves, they are less likely to fall ill and hence place a little burden on the health care system. This is one reason local governments sponsor health awareness campaigns.
The Evolving Role of Nurses
Amidst the need to improve health care delivery and sustain a better living for the people, the role of nurses has become multi-dimensional. Not only are they performing their typical duties in hospitals, caring for their patients and managing essential tasks, they are also playing a role in promoting health care awareness among different segments of the society.
According to a 2015 study published in International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, nurses could identify cardiovascular health issues, supervise improvements, and bring about greater patient satisfaction through their diligence when contrasted against primary health care providers. This included identifying smoking habits, documenting weight changes, and recording blood pressure to pinpoint pain areas.
Through the reputation nurses have gained while working in close collaboration with medical practitioners, their word has already gained much value in the eyes of the people. So when a nurse recommends a specific procedure and/or gives a medical advice, people are more likely to follow through with it. As individuals belonging to the health care industry, nurses have been playing an important role in raising awareness about various preventable diseases.
Nurses and Remote Medical Assistance
Given the limited number of licensed medical practitioners and their human limitations, nurses are quickly taking on the role of providing health care solutions at a distance. In fact, their role in crisis management is unparalleled.
Telehealth is successfully run by nurses, diverting patients to the right health care centers to save time and reduce damage. While the distance implies physical examination cannot be conducted, they can ensure the patients receive medical attention at the right time.
Nurses Promoting General Health Care
Every interaction between the nurse and the patient is an opportunity for information exchange whether in person or via a HIPAA compliant telemedicine app. While the doctors focus on diagnosing diseases and treating them, nurses can educate the patients about related issues and teach them how to take better care of themselves. This not only takes some burden off the medical practitioners but also makes sure the patients are well-informed and well-included in their health-related decisions.
The current era in health care is all about patient inclusion, particularly in framing and recommending health care solutions. Nurses, in their unique capacity, can promote patient compliance via informal communication to make them feel heard and understood. This yields better results, quicker healing, and higher patient satisfaction. As hospitals and clinics turn towards a profit-oriented business-like model of operation, patient satisfaction becomes imperative for the institution’s success.
