Comprehensive Report on Advocacy and Health Promotion in Nursing

This report explores the critical role of advocacy and communication strategies in nursing care, emphasizing their importance in ensuring patient rights, welfare, and security. The first part of the report focuses on advocacy within the context of the NMC safeguarding film, highlighting the need for effective communication to address patient needs and overcome barriers. The second part delves into the key factors impacting an individual's health, such as lifestyle choices and environmental influences, and discusses effective health promotion activities. The report underscores the significance of nurses being aware of their responsibilities in healthcare, advocating for patient needs, and utilizing both positive and effective communication strategies to foster positive patient outcomes. The report emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care and the role of advocacy in improving the quality of healthcare services.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1:...........................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Advocacy and communication strategies....................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Importance of being aware of the potential need for advocacy within relationships in health
care..............................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................5
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................5
Key factors that could impact on an individual’s health.............................................................5
Health promotion activities would be most effective.................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

PART 1:
INTRODUCTION
Advocacy and communication strategies
Advocacy is one of the most important part of nursing care for the role of a nurse. It is
important for nurses because they are the one who spend most of their time with patients
compared to any other healthcare professional (Abbasinia, Ahmadi and Kazemnejad, 2019).
They are the one who take care of the patients and serves them. Advocacy can be defined as the
nursing duties or policies that are needed to be fulfilled by the nurses. For example providing
additional information to the patient related to the treatment so that they can decide whether they
need to accept the treatment or not. In simple words advocacy in nursing means to ensure that all
the rights of the patients are being fulfilled. In order to support or fulfil all the nursing advocacy
it is extremely important to adopt proper communication strategies. Proper communication
strategy helps in understanding all kinds of problems that is being faced by patients and issues
that are required to be focused and resolved. These communication strategies can be both
positive and negative. Proper and adequate communication strategy helps in providing security
to patients, fulfil their requirements, understand the issues that are being faced by them and many
more. In simple words advocacy and communication strategies are the most important skills that
are required by nurses when they deal with vulnerable patients. This essay will lay emphasis on
advocacy and communication strategies used within NMC safeguarding Film and will also lay
emphasis on potential needs of advocacy within relationship with health care (NMC
safeguarding film, 2019).
MAIN BODY
As it is already known that advocacy is usually applied to the person with power
on behalf of person with no power (Kalaitzidis and Jewell, 2015). In this scenario person in
power were the nurses and powerless person were the patient's. In case of difficult
circumstances, being vulnerable and in case of powerlessness, advocacy is required to be
advocated. Failure to do so may put patient's welfare, basic needs or rights in danger. Powerless
vulnerable patient are those who are vulnerable due to illness and cannot take care of their own
needs or requirements. It also helps in overcoming all the obstacles that are being faced by the
patients. Many times it happens that advocacy for the patients fail as nurses faces many barriers
while addressing patient's need, welfare etc.
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One of the main advocacy that should have been adhered within the case was that all the
needs and requirement of the patient was ignored and even his problem was not focused on. Due
to this the patient felt that he was a burden on the nurses. Like the patient was continuously
asking for his glasses but the nurses ignored his need even during his breakfast he asked for his
glasses but again his needs were ignored in fact his breakfast was also taken away. Another
advocacy that was required to be adhered in this case was to focus on patient's present condition
i.e. the pregnant lady was a case of domestic violence but the nurse simply ignore her condition
and did her duties. Nurse should have focused on her condition and should have informed her
senior management people. In order to provide proper advocacy to the patient following steps
should have been followed such as: make sure that the nurse have all the information related to
the patient and his needs, use the information in a meaningful and required manner, accept the
fact that there might be things additional to patient's information that will be required to be
fulfilled by the nurses. Barriers to the concept of advocacy being utilized in this scenario are:
Patient's needs are being ignored due to which he is feeling helpless and burden on the hospital.
Patient's personal condition is also being ignored by the nurses due to which welfare of such
patient's are in danger. These barriers are mainly due to ignorance of patient's present condition
by the nurses.
Communication strategies used in this scansion was only verbal i.e. only unidirectional
and no interpersonal skills were used (Arnold and Boggs, 2019). In other words the nurses
attending the old patients were busy talking to each and completely ignored the patients
requirements. They were simply busy doing their work rather than focusing on patients
requirements. Interpersonal skills like listening, showing empathy, being patient etc. were not
adhered by the nurses i.e. they listened to the patient's requirement, they didn't show any
empathy to the patient and were not at all patient and were busy within themselves.
Communication strategies are both positive and negative. Type of communication strategy used
can affect patient's advocacy. Positive communication strategy is always two-way
communication with interpersonal skills. Patient's all the needs, requirements should be listened
patiently by the nurses and should fulfil them, even patients should try to understand the nurses
and should patient listen what nurses are trying to day. Most common negative communication
strategy used is one sided communication in which needs and requirements of powerless people
is completely ignored. This can work as a barrier in advocacy in relationship to health care.
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Importance of being aware of the potential need for advocacy within relationships in health care.
It is important for nurse to be aware of their roles and responsibilities in health care. In
person centered care facilities there are several ethics and standards that must be followed.
Advocacy refers to practices or actions that can be recommended to be followed in developing
relationship in health care (Evans and Stoddart, 2017). Awareness about advocacy enables in
finding out barriers and offering high quality care services. Health professionals must be
educated and trained about process of offering services that promote health. Advocacy is
required in health care to ensure that services are offered in proper way and there is ease in
access of health. The awareness of advocacy makes it easy for professional to built relationship
with patients. With proper communication they are able to identify patient’s needs. Furthermore,
it improves service quality of health and support in fulfilling patient needs. A nurse is aware
about what action is to be taken in particular situation and how service quality can be enhanced.
They are able to gain and learn skills and knowledge to promote health services. So, by
following of practices management of nurse is improved. This overall impact in positive way on
their working and on patient health as well.
Having awareness improves different types of skills such as communication, problem
solving, etc. So, with use of these skills it becomes easy to interact with patient provide effective
care in systematic way. By this there is positive impact on health care professional career. There
are able to develop proper plans and attain results. They get aware about course of action that is
to be taken in order to promote health care. With help of it effective relationship is developed
with patient. The collaboration among co workers and patient family member is improved.
Therefore, the solution is identified in proper way. Another importance of advocacy is it
develops skills to improve point of care. When recommended course of action is applied then
nurse is able to follow systematic practices and provide proper facilities. The awareness is useful
in following of ethics and values. So health promotion is done and nurse is able to form or
develop alternative strategies (Sue and et.al., 2019). Advocacy sets a perception in mind of nurse
that how to ensure services are to be delivered. Also, they take action immediately and improve
service quality. In order to provide proper advocacy to the patient following steps should have
been followed such as: make sure that the nurse have all the information related to the patient
and his needs, use the information in a meaningful and required manner, etc.
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In addition when a health professional knows that how services are to be offered it makes
it easy to interact with patient. There is a different way of treating patient according to their
needs. When a professional is aware about advocacy they know what to do and how to deal with
situation. The actions allow them to change their ways of practice and to deal with situation.
Alongside it, awareness about advocacy provides various actions that can be taken to promote
health. It also enables to investigate situation and adoption of some theories and concepts in
nursing. The awareness of about advocacy support in improving patient health and safety.
Alongside, when there rise conflict professional know that how to solve it and what action is to
be take. This benefit in enhancing health care and providing safety.
CONCLUSION
From the above essay it has been summarized that advocacy is important to be adhered in
nursing as it helps in fulfilling rights, welfare, needs and security of the patient's. It helps the
nurses to take care of their patients and also helps in ensuring that rights of the patients are being
provided to them. It is extremely important to adhere advocacy by the nurses especially in case
of vulnerable patients or patients with difficult circumstances. It has also been analysed that use
of positive communication strategy can help in removing all the barriers of advocacy and
adhering patient's advocacy in order to fulfil patient rights, welfare, needs and requirements.
From the above essay it can be concluded that it is extremely important to adhere two-way
communication between patient's and nurses. This will help the patient's to feel comfortable and
overcome from their vulnerable situation or difficult circumstances. This further helps in
adhering patients advocacy.
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PART 2
INTRODUCTION
Health is very important part of life as to keep the body healthy is the duty of an
individual otherwise a person shall not able to keep his/her mind clear and stronger. Health of a
person is affected by various factors. This preset report will discuss all those factors which are
associated with the health of an individual. Further, health promotion activities will also be
discuss for effective solution.
MAIN BODY
Key factors that could impact on an individual’s health
According to the Chow and et.al., (2015) to keep the body healthy it is duty of own
individual. Many factors combine together to affect the health of individual as well as
communities. Whether, people are healthy or not, is determined by their circumstances and
environment. Various factors affect the health of person and medical professionals classify them
as internal or external are also recognized as acquired elements or hereditary includes eating
habits, personal diet or smoking (Factors Affecting Individual health, 2019). On the other hand,
external factors pertain outer environment, the geographical location and micro-organism which
could influence an individual health. These are the things which are greatly influenced the health
of individual.
As per the views Keizer, Barry and Bompoint, (2015) lifestyle and health is one of the
key factor that affect the health of individual as well as life expectancy. It is very important for
the person to have systematic way of living the life like daily schedules, regular exercise, balance
diet etc. An imbalance diet or bad eating habits could cause an individual to develop chronic
diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, kidney failure, obesity and many other
diseases. However, it has been stated by the Radnitz, Beezhold and DiMatteo, (2015) that, a
sedentary or inactive lifestyle is very dangerous for the health of person because it hinders the
development of good health. On the other side, there are some other health of a person is the
consumption or intake of highly saturated starch and fat, taking illicit drugs like heroin an
cocaine and consuming alcohol. Further, obesity is another threat that is caused by sedentary
lifestyle that could cause serious health issues for example, high cholesterol, health diseases and
diabetes. Conlon and Bird, (2015) said that, Obesity makes the bones so weak that a person
cannot even able to walk as it directly affect the bones of the body. Thus, it can be said that,
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there is a direct relation between the the way an individual live his/her life and health as if
lifestyle of a person is perfect it will lead to positive impact on the health and vice-versa.
Kandola, Bowman and Birch‐Machin, (2015) stated, imbalance diet and smoking is
another factor that influence the health of individual. Smoking is that habit that kill or damage all
the organs of the body as it adversely affect the metabolism of person along with life expectancy
rates. There are 4000 chemical compounds a cigarette contains and at-least 400 toxic substances.
It includes highly dangerous and damaging substances such as tar that active the cancer cell;
carbon monoxide that reduces the level of oxygen in the body; nicotine that increase the
cholesterol level in the body. Smoking habit can also damage the lungs of the person and can
cause various others chronic diseases which affect the health of people. On the other hand,
another Mozaffarian, (2016) said that, imbalance diet is one of the key factor that affect the
health of a person. Imbalance diet mainly includes intake or consumption of high calorie food,
low fibre food and high saturated fat which could result negatively on the health of the person.
For example, eating of jink food that contains to much fat and calories that block the heart veins
which could raise the possibility of heart stroke. A high calories diet and low exercise is serious
dangerous for health.
According to the views Alaux and et.al., (2017) there is another factor called Natural
Habitat is the one more factor that could cause the serious issues to health of the person. Natural
habitat includes the apartment or house where a person lives. For example, if a person is residing
very close to manufacturing areas or any industrial areas have more possibilities to be exposed to
chemicals as well as other dangerous and unsafe substances like radioactive and asbestos
material, nuclear residues which organizations use in the manufacturing of goods. Thus, it can be
said that, it is the duty of individual person to analyze the surroundings. However Whitmee and
et.al., (2015) said that, work environment of the individual is the factor that affect the life and
health of individual. If a person is working in highly polluted areas like coal mines, zinc mines or
etc. that affect the health of individual. For instances, employees could suffers from uttermost
noise that production tools and machines generates or unpleasant and harsh chemicals used in
cleaning procedures. The lungs as well as skin are the most vulnerable to these effects. As per
the findings of Dueñas and et.al., (2016) Dermatits, the another name of skin inflammation that
could ground by rubber chemicals as well as detergents. Another example of workplace
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environment is inhaling flour used in bakeries that raise the possibility of causing breathing
disorders.
Health promotion activities would be most effective.
Heath promotion activities are those which are organized by the authorities or body for
prevention of disease and wellness programs which involves communication, raising awareness
about healthy behaviour for the general public. UK government is very well aware of all the
programs which are important for the person to keep the body healthy and active. Here are the
health promotion programs held by NHS UK to promote better health in UK are as follows-
Health Education England
This programme is held for NHS workforce for providing better services to people. NHS
has started an action plan for mental health by 2016 to 2020. This programmes has main purpose
raising awareness of healthy lifestyle by proving training to workforce for children and young
people mental health (Spring, Bingham and Bryant, 2018). It also includes the improvement of
training on mental health via simulation. This programmes has stated with the primary aim to
shape and train the workforce of NHS to bring improvement in the delivery of services to users
or patients. In UK, around one in four people are suffering fro mental health issues (UK mental
Health Fact, 2019).
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
This is another health promotion program that is held in United Kingdom for reducing
and eliminating all the danger or harm caused by tobacco. This is the public charity which works
for promoting good health (West, 2017). They are placing and organizing the policies that put
pressure on the people which will minimise the concern of addiction, increasing diseases as well
as premature death. All the funding of this program is received from Department for Health to
support tobacco control, Cancer Research UK etc.
Smoke free South West UK Be Smoke Free
This is one of the most famous social media campaign held in United Kingdom. The aim
of the project is to provide evidence based programmes in order to develop a future which is
entirely smoke free. They are putting efforts to make the tobacco use less and not able to access
to people by formulating policies to stop the sale of tobacco items (Been and et.al., 2015). This
programme has run many campaigns in the various regions for adults and children to quite
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smoking and further influence public policies through boosting local bodies to adopt public areas
smoke free, hospital etc.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that keeping the body healthy is the duty of
a person. Lifestyles like sedentary living is the one of the key factor that adversely affect the
health of the person. It has been also founded that, workplace environment was also a core
elements that affect the health of individual. Further, there were various other health promotion
activities which are important to make the health effective and efficient in a strategic way. Health
promotion activities are important as it raise the awareness of living healthy life.
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REFERENCES
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Alaux, C and et.al., 2017. A ‘Landscape physiology’approach for assessing bee health highlights
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Been, J.V and et.al., 2015. Smoke-free legislation and childhood hospitalisations for respiratory
tract infections. European Respiratory Journal, 46(3), pp.697-706.
Chow, C.K and et.al., 2015. Effect of lifestyle-focused text messaging on risk factor
modification in patients with coronary heart disease: a randomized clinical
trial. Jama, 314(12), pp.1255-1263.
Conlon, M. and Bird, A., 2015. The impact of diet and lifestyle on gut microbiota and human
health. Nutrients, 7(1), pp.17-44.
Dueñas, M and et.al., 2016. A review of chronic pain impact on patients, their social
environment and the health care system. Journal of pain research, 9, p.457.
Kandola, K., Bowman, A. and Birch‐Machin, M.A., 2015. Oxidative stress–a key emerging
impact factor in health, ageing, lifestyle and aesthetics. International Journal of Cosmetic
Science, 37, pp.1-8.
Mozaffarian, D., 2016. Dietary and policy priorities for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and
obesity: a comprehensive review. Circulation, 133(2), pp.187-225.
Radnitz, C., Beezhold, B. and DiMatteo, J., 2015. Investigation of lifestyle choices of
individuals following a vegan diet for health and ethical reasons. Appetite, 90, pp.31-36.
Spring, M., Bingham, H. and Bryant, S.L., 2018. Prescribing cannabis based drugs: response
from NICE and Health Education England. BMJ, 363, p.k4940.
West, R., 2017. Tobacco smoking: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and
interventions. Psychology & health, 32(8), pp.1018-1036.
Whitmee, S and et.al., 2015. Safeguarding human health in the Anthropocene epoch: report of
The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on planetary health. The
Lancet, 386(10007), pp.1973-2028.
Abbasinia, M., Ahmadi, F. and Kazemnejad, A., 2019. Patient advocacy in nursing: A concept
analysis. Nursing ethics, p.0969733019832950.
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Arnold, E.C. and Boggs, K.U., 2019. Interpersonal Relationships E-Book: Professional
Communication Skills for Nurses. Elsevier Health Sciences.
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health care manager. 34(4). pp.308-315.
Sue, D.W. and et.al., 2019. Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice. John Wiley
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Evans, R.G. and Stoddart, G.L., 2017. Producing health, consuming health care. In Why are
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Online:
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<https://www.livestrong.com/article/523269-factors-affecting-individual-health/>.
UK mental Health Fact. 2019. [ONLINE]. Available through: <https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-
work/mental-health>.
NMC safeguarding film. 2019. [Online]. Available through : <http://lightshopfilms.co.uk/port/if-
you-dont-do-something-who-will/>.
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