Exploration of practice nurses' knowledge and management of people with hypertension
Aoife Morris
National University of Ireland Galway
Aoife Morris is a registered general nurse working in the Cardiac Catheterisation Lab for over four years. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing Science in the National University of Ireland Galway in 2006 and worked in an orthopaedics trauma ward before working in a variety of specialities while working abroad in Brisbane and Perth.She successfully completed a higher diploma in 'Critical Care Cardiovascular Nursing' in University College Dublin and returned to NUI Galway to complete her Masters in Preventive Cardiology where she carried out research on the exploration of practice nurses' knowledge and management of people with hypertension.Today she will given a brief presentation on the findings.
Abstract
Context and background The burden of Arterial Hypertension (AH) remains high with little insight into knowledge levels of practice nurses who play active roles in blood pressure (BP) management. Aim The aim of this study is... [ view full abstract ]
Context and background
The burden of Arterial Hypertension (AH) remains high with little insight into knowledge levels of practice nurses who play active roles in blood pressure (BP) management.
Aim
The aim of this study is to explore practice nurses’ knowledge and management of AH in accordance with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of AH (2013).
Research Methodology
Self-administered questionnaires focusing on BP targets, diagnostic tests and total cardiovascular risk, as well as lifestyle advice relating to ESC guidelines (2013), were posted to a non-probability sample of 90 practice nurses in the Galway/Mayo region. Data was collected over a six week period. Statistical tests to compare variables included one-way ANOVA, Spearman’s rho, Pearson’s correlation and Chi-squared.
Key Findings
Participation was 54% (n=49). The mean number of correct answers was 50% (n=9.9, SD±2.5). Hypertension was defined correctly by 63% (n=31). Blood pressure targets returned very poor results for subgroups at risk of cardiovascular disease (diabetes mellitus; 2%, chronic kidney disease; 2% and elderly population; 12%), while there was a trend of underestimating cardiovascular risk. Only 2% named office BP as the gold standard for diagnosing hypertension and 96% inaccurately chose ambulatory BP monitoring. Incorrect indications for out-of-office BP monitoring were chosen by 65%. Only 16% named all the major components of the DASH diet to help achieve BP targets. Exercise was named by 96%, however maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle returned inferior results respectively (44%, 31%).
Conclusions
There appears to be a general familiarity with some aspects of AH treatment with a need for clarity regarding education, sub-groups, CVD risk and BP targets. The development of strategies to educate practice nurses in addition with structured pathways to guide patients to target may greatly benefit care. Further research would enhance findings.
Authors
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Aoife Morris
(National University of Ireland Galway)
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Gerard Flaherty
(National University of Ireland Galway)
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Adeel Hamad
(National University of Ireland Galway)
Topic Areas
Education Research , Chronic illness
Session
OS-4C:1 » OS-4 Education 1 (10:15 - Tuesday, 31st March, Classroom 3)
Presentation Files
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