In order to strengthen the population's health, strategies for implementing healthy lifestyle programs (such as diabetes schools, etc.) have been developed within the healthcare system, as outlined by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases. In this context, the role of the nurse in their implementation is multifaceted and requires an interdisciplinary approach.
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Individualized care plans: Develops personalized care plans, considering the patient's medical history and preferences. This helps improve patient adherence to the healthy lifestyle program and achieve optimal outcomes.
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Use of technologies: Digital technologies such as mobile applications, health trackers, and online platforms that enable healthcare workers to more effectively monitor patients' progress and provide timely recommendations.
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Group work and support: Group activities, such as health schools, which teach how to manage chronic diseases, are organized in healthcare facilities. These sessions foster a sense of community and communication among patients with similar medical diagnoses (such as diabetes and hypertension).
A healthy lifestyle (HLS) is a system of behaviors and habits aimed at maintaining and strengthening health, preventing diseases, and improving overall quality of life.
There are problems and barriers in patient education:
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Low patient motivation: One of the main difficulties in implementing HLS programs is insufficient motivation among some patients. Nurses must use various motivational techniques, including motivational interviewing, to help patients realize the importance of lifestyle changes.
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Social and economic factors: Financial limitations, lack of time, and insufficient family support can become barriers for patients. Nurses play a key role in identifying these barriers and developing strategies to overcome them.
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Lack of resources: Successful implementation of HLS programs requires appropriate resources, such as educational materials, time, and support from healthcare institutions. Nurses may face time and workload constraints, which require the development of effective working methods.
To enhance the effectiveness of HLS programs, it is recommended to develop collaboration among various healthcare specialists, expand the use of digital technologies, and conduct regular evaluations of the programs. It is also important to strengthen the training of nurses in the field of HLS so that they can perform their roles more effectively.
The nurse acts as one of the main agents of change, contributing to the implementation and maintenance of HLS among patients. Their functions include education, motivation, monitoring, and adapting HLS programs to the individual needs of each patient. This requires nurses not only to have professional knowledge but also communication skills, empathy, and the ability to work with different categories of patients, taking into account their social, cultural, and economic characteristics.
The role of the nurse in implementing healthy lifestyle programs is invaluable. Nurses can become key agents of change, providing support to patients on their path to better health and improved quality of life. Overcoming existing challenges and utilizing innovative approaches will significantly increase the positive impact of HLS programs on population health.
Muniram KURBANOVA,
1st-year PhD student,
Department of Health Policy and Organization
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