Nurse Role, Management of Obesity
The role of nurses in the management of Obesity
The case study provided regarding diet and weight management has led me to explore the role of a nurse specifically during the management of obesity. The investigation aims to determine how a nurse can intervene and control obesity. The research generally looks at the role of the nurse in managing a patient that is clinically classed as obese. Obesity is calculated using BMI measurements (appendix 1). Limitations to this investigation from a personal perspective are that I haven’t yet practised as a nurse so I can’t use reflection on my own practise as a learning tool. Taking this into consideration I have sourced my information with the use of secondary research methods, thus meaning the summary and synthesis of existing research already available to me via published articles, books and other relevant resources.
As you will see as you read on the value of knowledge and evidence to professional practise is critical. The main reason why you need to base your professional practice on the best available evidence is explained by Aveyard and Sharp (2009, p6), “......it enables us to deliver the best possible patient/client care rather than out of date practice’’. Aveyard and Sharp (2009, p7) goes on to say that “evidence based practice is practice that is supported by clear reasoning, taking into account the patient or clients preferences using your own judgement”. This description is backed up by Sackett et al (1996, p71-72) who described EBP as, “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patient/clients”. Gray (1997,p9) emphasized a focus on patient values describing EBP as , “an approach to decision making in which the clinician uses the best evidence available in consultation with the patient, to decide upon the option which suits the patient best. The NMC code of Conduct (2008) foregrounds the importance of evidence based practice in
The case study provided regarding diet and weight management has led me to explore the role of a nurse specifically during the management of obesity. The investigation aims to determine how a nurse can intervene and control obesity. The research generally looks at the role of the nurse in managing a patient that is clinically classed as obese. Obesity is calculated using BMI measurements (appendix 1). Limitations to this investigation from a personal perspective are that I haven’t yet practised as a nurse so I can’t use reflection on my own practise as a learning tool. Taking this into consideration I have sourced my information with the use of secondary research methods, thus meaning the summary and synthesis of existing research already available to me via published articles, books and other relevant resources.
As you will see as you read on the value of knowledge and evidence to professional practise is critical. The main reason why you need to base your professional practice on the best available evidence is explained by Aveyard and Sharp (2009, p6), “......it enables us to deliver the best possible patient/client care rather than out of date practice’’. Aveyard and Sharp (2009, p7) goes on to say that “evidence based practice is practice that is supported by clear reasoning, taking into account the patient or clients preferences using your own judgement”. This description is backed up by Sackett et al (1996, p71-72) who described EBP as, “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patient/clients”. Gray (1997,p9) emphasized a focus on patient values describing EBP as , “an approach to decision making in which the clinician uses the best evidence available in consultation with the patient, to decide upon the option which suits the patient best. The NMC code of Conduct (2008) foregrounds the importance of evidence based practice in
References: AVEYARD, Helen and SHARP, Pam (2009). A beginners guide to evidence based practice in health and social care,. Open University Press, McGraw-Hill. BENNET D (2007). Nurses at the cutting edge of obesity. Practise Nursing. 18,9,454-458. DRUMMOND S (2002). The management of obesity. Nursing Standard. 16(48), 47-52. GRAY J.A.M (1977). Evidence-based Healthcare. Churchill Livingstone, Newyork, USA. GREENHALGH, T & DONALD,A (2000). Evidence based health care work book: Understanding research for individual and group learning. London, BMJ Books. Last accessed 16th November 2012. JOLLEY, Jeremy (2010). Introduction to evidence based practice for nurses. Harlow. Pearson Education. MAGGI, Banning. The management of obesity: the role of the specialist nurse. [online]. 14 [3]140. Journal from British Journal of Nursing last accessed 12th November 2012 at http://www.internurse.com Nursing & Midwifery Council (2008) SACKETT, D. L., et al. (1996). Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn 't. British Medical Journal, 312[7023],71-72. Sheffield Hallam University (2012). Evaluation: Why evaluate. [online] Last accessed November 2012 at http://infoskills.shu.ac.uk/skills/evaluation.html SHEEHAN NC, YIN L (2006) World Health Organisation (2005). Obesity and Overweight: Factsheet. [online] Last accessed 12th November 2012 at http://www.who.int/en Appendix 1 Table showing complications associated with obesity from BANNING Maggi (2005) Complications associated with obesity _ Osteoarthritis _ Musculoskeletal problems, such as joint destruction and back ache (About Obesity,2000) _ Coronary heart disease _ Hypertension and stroke (Alpert, 2004) _ Gallbladder disease (Stampfer et al, 1992) _ Cancer of the colon _ Ovary and breast (French et al, 1997) _ Raised serum cholesterol (Denke et al, 1993)