The Culture, Context and Progress of Health Promotion in Nursing

An international Delphi study examining health promotion and health education in nursing practice, education and policy

“…However, from this study's findings, it can also be seen that there is a lesser degree of agreement on actual practice, theory and policy‐context statements. This too mirrors study findings which identify that, while the theoretical position appears clear, practical implementation is more elusive (Cross 2005, Whitehead 2005, Runciman et al. 2006, Carlson & Warne 2007, Holt & Warne 2007).…”

Findings from non‐participant observational data concerning health promoting nursing practice in the acute hospital setting focusing on generalist nurses

“…Health education is included in this definition, where the focus is on behavioural and empowerment approaches and on changing ‘…health damaging habits and increase health enhancing behaviour…’ (Scriven 2005a,b, p3). However, while acknowledging the importance of effective health education approaches Whitehead (2005) argues that an interpretation of health promotion, which focuses on ‘individualistic behaviourally orientated empowerment’ methods is now outdated. He urges nurses to adopt a more proactive health promotion role, to focus more on community empowerment approaches and embrace the socio‐political dimensions of health promotion.…”

“…1989, Gorin 1992, Latter et al. 1992, Delaney 1994, Moey 1996, McDonald 1998, Latter 2001, Whitehead 2005).…”

Commentary on Irvine F (2005) Exploring district nursing competencies in health promotion: the use of the Delphi technique. Journal of Clinical Nursing 14, 965–975

“…I have been one of those who particularly seek to champion the real ‘new’ context of health promotion (which actually is not that new anymore) in the hope of moving things on for health‐related activity in nursing (i.e. Whitehead 2001, 2003a,c, 2004, 2005). What Irvine (2005) refers to in her article as the ‘new paradigm’ of health promotion and her additional use of the term ‘traditional health promotion’ are very much out‐of‐date and outmoded concepts.…”