Week 3 discussion: health promotion practitioners
The definitions of health education and health promotion are often times directly linked to a nurse’s practice. The goal of health education is to help people make better lifestyle decisions and prevent illnesses. Health promotion, on the other hand, focuses on giving them tools to do so. Nurses are well equipped to help patients and provide education and support in this area because they can talk about sensitive topics easily and establish trust.
As an OBGYN nursing nurse, I’m often asked to educate new mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding. This can be difficult for many women as it is a delicate topic. In order to do it effectively, I need to provide detailed information about breastfeeding and discuss with the patient any barriers or concerns she might have. This will allow her to feel empowered enough that she can make an informed choice for her family. This process takes into account both aspects of health education and promotion – providing information as well as encouraging behavior change – which allows me to play a crucial role in helping my patients achieve better overall health outcomes over time.