Predictors of Nurse Support for the Introduction of the Cardiometabolic Health Nurse in the Australian Mental Health Sector

Abstract

PURPOSE: A cardiometabolic specialist nursing role could potentially improve physical health of people with serious mental illness. DESIGN AND METHODS: A national survey of Australian nurses working in mental health settings investigated predictors of support for the role. FINDINGS: Predictors included belief in physical healthcare neglect, interest in training; higher perceived value of improving physical health care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings suggest that nurses see the cardiometabolic health nurse role as a promising initiative for closing gaps in cardiometabolic health care and skilling other nurses in mental health. However, as the majority of variance in cardiometabolic healt..