Introduction
This essay explores the multifaceted role of nurses in delivering person-centered care, focusing on key aspects of nursing practice as they relate to prioritising people and practicing effectively. The discussion is structured around four central themes: the importance of biopsychosocial factors in understanding health and illness, the critical role of communication in nursing and health promotion, the ethical and legal dimensions of confidentiality in healthcare, and the necessity of evidence-based practice for effective and safe nursing care. By addressing these areas, the essay highlights how nurses can uphold the standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code (NMC, 2018) while ensuring high-quality patient outcomes. Each section provides a detailed examination of the topic, supported by academic sources and practical examples, to demonstrate the relevance of these concepts to contemporary nursing practice.
Biopsychosocial Factors in Understanding Health and Illness
The biopsychosocial model, first proposed by Engel (1977), offers a comprehensive framework for understanding health and illness by integrating biological, psychological, and social dimensions. For nurses, this model is invaluable as it moves beyond a purely biomedical perspective to consider the holistic needs of patients, aligning with the NMC’s emphasis on prioritising people (NMC, 2018). Biologically, nurses must understand disease processes and physiological responses, such as how diabetes affects blood glucose regulation. However, psychological factors, including stress or depression, can exacerbate physical conditions by influencing coping mechanisms or adherence to treatment plans (Ogden, 2017). Social determinants, such as socioeconomic status or family support, further impact health outcomes by shaping access to resources and lifestyle choices.
In practice, knowledge of these factors enables nurses to tailor care plans to individual needs. For instance, a patient with chronic pain may require not only medication (biological intervention) but also counseling (psychological support) and community resources (social assistance). This holistic approach fosters trust and improves health outcomes by addressing root causes rather than symptoms alone. Moreover, understanding biopsychosocial factors helps nurses advocate for vulnerable patients, ensuring equitable care—a core principle of prioritising people. Despite its strengths, the model can be challenging to apply in time-constrained settings, where biological needs often take precedence (Ogden, 2017). Nevertheless, its integration into nursing education and practice remains essential for delivering comprehensive care.
Communication as an Essential Skill in Nursing and Health Promotion
Effective communication is a cornerstone of nursing practice, underpinning safe and compassionate care delivery. According to the NMC Code (2018), nurses must communicate clearly to build partnerships with patients, families, and colleagues, thereby practicing effectively. Communication facilitates accurate assessment, ensures informed decision-making, and fosters therapeutic relationships. For example, active listening allows nurses to identify unspoken concerns, while clear verbal explanations ensure patients understand their treatment plans.
In the context of health promotion, communication skills are particularly vital. Health promotion involves educating individuals and communities to improve health behaviors, such as encouraging smoking cessation or healthy eating (Naidoo and Wills, 2016). Strategies like motivational interviewing—a patient-centered communication technique—can effectively support behavior change by exploring patients’ ambivalence and reinforcing their intrinsic motivation (Miller and Rollnick, 2013). For instance, when addressing obesity, a nurse might use open-ended questions to understand a patient’s barriers to exercise, thereby tailoring advice to their unique circumstances. Additionally, adapting communication to cultural or linguistic needs, such as using interpreters or visual aids, ensures inclusivity and accessibility in health promotion efforts. However, challenges like time constraints or patient resistance can hinder effectiveness, requiring nurses to develop resilience and adaptability. Overall, communication is not merely a skill but a fundamental tool for empowering patients and promoting health.
Confidentiality in Healthcare: Legal and Ethical Considerations
Confidentiality, a key concept in healthcare, refers to the obligation to protect personal and sensitive information shared by patients during care (Hendrick, 2011). For nurses, maintaining confidentiality is central to prioritising people, as it builds trust and ensures patients feel safe disclosing personal details. Breaching confidentiality can undermine therapeutic relationships and deter individuals from seeking care, particularly in sensitive areas like mental health or sexual health.
From a legal perspective, confidentiality is governed by frameworks such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the UK. These laws mandate that personal data be handled securely and shared only with explicit consent or under specific circumstances, such as safeguarding concerns (Department of Health and Social Care, 2018). Nurses must also adhere to the NMC Code (2018), which requires them to respect privacy and only disclose information when legally or ethically justified. For instance, if a patient poses a risk to themselves or others, nurses may need to share information with relevant authorities, balancing confidentiality with public safety.
Ethically, confidentiality aligns with principles of autonomy and beneficence, ensuring that patients’ rights to privacy are upheld (Beauchamp and Childress, 2013). However, dilemmas arise when ethical obligations conflict, such as deciding whether to inform family members of a patient’s diagnosis against their wishes. Nurses must navigate these situations with sensitivity, often seeking guidance from senior colleagues or legal advisors. Ultimately, understanding confidentiality enables nurses to protect patient dignity while fulfilling their professional responsibilities, though ongoing training is needed to address complex scenarios effectively.
The Importance of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Care
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to inform decision-making (Sackett et al., 1996). For nurses, understanding how to find and use appropriate evidence is crucial for practicing effectively and preserving safety, as mandated by the NMC Code (2018). EBP ensures that care is grounded in proven interventions, reducing the risk of harm and enhancing patient outcomes. For example, following evidence-based guidelines on wound care can prevent infections and promote faster healing.
To engage in EBP, nurses must develop skills in accessing and appraising research. This involves using databases like PubMed or CINAHL to locate peer-reviewed studies and critically evaluating their relevance and reliability (Aveyard, 2019). However, barriers such as limited time, lack of training, or restricted access to resources can hinder the application of EBP in clinical settings. Overcoming these challenges requires institutional support, including access to journals and opportunities for professional development. Furthermore, nurses must consider patient preferences and contextual factors when applying evidence, ensuring care remains person-centered. For instance, while research may support a specific medication, a patient’s cultural beliefs or comorbidities might necessitate an alternative approach.
The implications of EBP extend beyond individual care to influence policy and practice standards. By contributing to audits or quality improvement initiatives, nurses can help embed evidence into routine practice, enhancing safety across healthcare settings (Aveyard, 2019). Arguably, the ongoing commitment to EBP is not just a professional duty but a means of ensuring accountability and excellence in nursing care.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this essay has explored key dimensions of nursing practice that underpin the principles of prioritising people, practicing effectively, and preserving safety. Knowledge of biopsychosocial factors equips nurses to deliver holistic care by addressing the interconnected biological, psychological, and social needs of patients. Effective communication, meanwhile, fosters trust and empowers individuals through tailored health promotion strategies. The discussion of confidentiality highlighted its legal and ethical significance, demonstrating how nurses must balance privacy with public safety in complex situations. Finally, the importance of evidence-based practice was underscored as a foundation for safe and effective care, despite challenges in implementation. Collectively, these elements reflect the multifaceted nature of nursing and the need for continuous learning and adaptation. The implications for practice are clear: by integrating these principles, nurses can uphold professional standards, advocate for patients, and contribute to improved health outcomes in diverse care settings.
References
- Aveyard, H. (2019) Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: A Practical Guide. 4th edn. Open University Press.
- Beauchamp, T. L. and Childress, J. F. (2013) Principles of Biomedical Ethics. 7th edn. Oxford University Press.
- Department of Health and Social Care (2018) Data Protection Act 2018. UK Government Legislation.
- Engel, G. L. (1977) The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), pp. 129-136.
- Hendrick, J. (2011) Law and Ethics in Nursing and Healthcare: An Introduction. 2nd edn. SAGE Publications.
- Miller, W. R. and Rollnick, S. (2013) Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. 3rd edn. Guilford Press.
- Naidoo, J. and Wills, J. (2016) Foundations for Health Promotion. 4th edn. Elsevier.
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) The Code: Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour for Nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates. NMC.
- Ogden, J. (2017) Health Psychology: A Textbook. 6th edn. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Sackett, D. L., Rosenberg, W. M., Gray, J. A., Haynes, R. B. and Richardson, W. S. (1996) Evidence based medicine: What it is and what it isn’t. BMJ, 312(7023), pp. 71-72.
