Finnish nurses' perceptions of the health impacts of climate change and their preparation to address those impacts

Abstract

Background: Climate change has a direct and indirect impact on human health that include health impacts from rising temperatures and poor air quality. This challenges the health sector in many ways. Nurses should be aware of these health effects and the patients who are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts caused by climate change.Purpose: The objective of the study was to identify the health issues that Finnish registered nurses associate with climate change and to determine nurses' perception of their preparation to address the health impacts of climate change.Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through semi-structured focus group interviews.Results: Nurses reported observing changes in health of their patient populations.The nurses attributed some changes in their patients' health to climate change.Interviewed nurses felt that climate change was not adequately addressed in their basic nursing education and in staff development.Conclusions: It is important to include climate change and its impact on human health in the nurses' curriculum and in continuing education for practicing nurses.Climate change is one of the greatest public health threats of our time. According to the latest predictions average global temperature may rise by 3-5°C by end of the century if nothing is done to mitigate the impacts of climate change. 1 In Finland, the increase in temperature is forecast to be 1.5-2 times higher than in other European countries. This has led to fewer cold winter days and a rise in hotter summer days. Finnish Meteorological Institute 2 observed that Finland has experienced significant heatwaves during the sum-

Nurses’ Perceptions of Climate Change: Protocol for a Scoping Review

“…To our knowledge, this study is the first exploratory review of the literature aiming to identify nurses’ perceptions of climate change. Its relevance comes from the fact that studies have been conducted in recent years that address nurses’ perceptions of climate change [ 16 , 17 , 21 - 23 ] but have not been compared and interpreted as a body of literature. The preliminary results of this exploratory literature review suggest that nurses could be preoccupied about climate change to a certain extent [ 20 ] but could lack knowledge about climate change, its causes, and its impacts on health [ 15 , 20 , 22 ].…”

“…As recommended by Levac et al [ 26 ], the question we wish to answer through this exploratory review has been clearly articulated and focused. The question under study in this exploratory literature review is, “what are nurses’ perceptions relative to climate change?” This question is justified by the need to advance knowledge about nurses’ perceptions of climate change to better prepare them to tackle these climate issues [ 16 , 20 , 22 , 23 ].…”

“…However, there is still very little known about nurses’ perception of climate change and of their role toward it. A few recent studies have examined nurses’ perceptions of climate change and health [ 16 , 17 , 21 - 23 ]. In addition, two exploratory reviews of the literature have been conducted.…”

Planetary Health

“…According to Leffers et al,3 practicing nurses, nurse educators, and nursing students lack formal education and resources to adequately prepare them for their role in mitigating climate change and providing care to those living with climate-related health effects. It is necessary that nurses be educated on climate-related threats and their potential impact on human health to fulfill their role as climate action leaders and champions of social justice 11,12…”

Nurses’ perceptions of climate sensitive vector‐borne diseases: A scoping review

“…(2017), practicing nurses, nurse educators, and nursing students lack formal knowledge and resources to adequately prepare them for their role in mitigating vector‐borne diseases and providing care to those living with these diseases. It is necessary that nurses be educated on infectious disease threats and their potential impact on human health to fulfill their role as climate action leaders and champions of social justice (Smith, 2019; Tiitta et al., 2021).…”