Reflecting on the practices of nurses in approaching the person with a chronic illness

Abstract

Theoretical framework: The changes that have been seen in health, namely the increase in chronic illness, have resulted in challenges to health professionals. Objectives: The aim of this study is to reflect on the Nursing practices used in approaching the person with a chronic illness. Methodology: We conducted a qualitative study, using the technique of spoken reflection, with 35 primary health care nurses from the North of Portugal. Results: The nurses acknowledged that their practice is influenced by the biomedical model, centred mainly on disease and its control. They found it difficult to work with people with a chronic illness, related to aspects inherent to the client, organisational factors, the practice of care itself and relationship factors within the team. Conclusion: The analysis, reflected in the practices in use, represents the first step so that nurses become aware of the need to change, in order to bring the current model closer to this model.