Workload, time constraints hold nurses to lead global fight against non-communicable diseases

May 6 2011

Nurses want to lead in the global fight against the further spread of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) but workload and time constraints are holding them back, according to a major new survey by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and Pfizer. Full results can be accessed here http://www.icn.ch

- Fully 95% of the 1,600 nurses across eight countries that were polled want to use their skills and time to educate individuals on the threat and prevention of NCDs. However, they were also clear that this prevention work would require time and resources they do not currently have.

- Nurses think they should be spending significantly more time, almost twice the amount they currently are able to devote, on preventing the development or escalation of NCDs. However, nearly all nurses surveyed (95%) are experiencing daily time pressures that they almost unanimously (98%) believe are having negative effects on patient health.

- Over one third of nurses surveyed reported that their workload has worsened over the last five years.

"Nurses, in numbers exceeding 13 million worldwide, are the front line answer to tackling NCDs," said David Benton, Chief Executive Officer of ICN. "They want to enable individuals and communities to enhance their wellness. We cannot afford to have nurses overloaded - if they are, then they cannot take the time to counsel and educate, and that is clearly counter-productive. With the globally escalating problems of NCD mortality and morbidity and soaring costs, governments around the world should not miss the opportunity to capitalize on the enthusiasm and expertise that nurses can bring to addressing this global health crisis. We must provide maximum support to nurses, so we unleash their power to fight these debilitating and deadly diseases."

- Nurses think that, overall, governments are doing a good job in beginning to address the NCD global crisis, with 85% of responses being favorable. But they also believe that, with the right support, nurses can make a huge difference in NCD prevention.

- More than one half of the nurses surveyed believe they can have a great deal of influence on individuals and communities to take the necessary steps to reduce the likelihood of developing NCDs.

- Nurses surveyed identified government (71%), nursing associations (65%) and media (68%) as the top groups who can offer further support, information and training to nurses so they can better address NCDs.

"Nurses are the healthcare professionals closest to patients and they are sending us a clear message - if nurses get the resources and time they need, they can arm people with the knowledge to help them make the critical lifestyle changes that will ultimately help combat the NCD crisis and improve global health" said Paula DeCola, RN MSc., from Pfizer External Medical Affairs. "Four in ten nurses believe that lack of public understanding is the biggest factor driving the spread of NCDs, more than twice as many as chose the next leading factor. Nurses need to be afforded the time and tools to get on with this urgent work."

The survey results support the rationale behind ICN and Pfizer's 'Wellness Tree' awareness campaign being launched at the annual ICN International Conference today, taking place in Malta. The Wellness Tree highlights the context in which health and wellness can grow and is designed to support nurses in taking action to prevent NCDs. Its simple yet vivid representation visually portrays the three spheres that influence health: the external environment which includes a 'vision of health' encouraging positive decision-making; nursing interventions such as education and assessment; and overall health policy. The tree branches represent daily healthy choices, and the roots signify predetermined factors such as family history as well as social and economic factors that can affect health.

During the conference, explanatory and educational material such as banners, cards and pamphlets are being distributed to encourage nurses to think about how they can empower themselves and others.