İş Yeri Hemşirelerinin Eğitimleri, Nitelikleri, Görev, Yetki ve Sorumlulukları: Delphi Analizi Çalışması

Abstract

This study was carried out to create a consensus text on the duties, authorities, and responsibilities, education of occupational health nurses, and to contribute to the legislative change. The study group consisted of Public Health Nursing academicians, individuals who still work as an occupational health nurses and other health professionals, faculty members of Public Health, and occupational physicians. Ethical approval was obtained for the study. Three rounds of e-Delphi technique were used, with 45 participants in the first round, 41 in the second round and 36 in the third round. Data were collected in all the three rounds with Google form. Qualitative content analysis was performed in the first round, and mean, standard deviation, median, and mode values were calculated based on the answers to the 5-point Likert questions in the second and third rounds. Values of at least 80% and above were used for the consensus text in the third round. 62.2% of the participants are female. The mean age was found 47.71±11.03 years. For the definition of occupational health nurse, the experts reached a consensus on the topics of effective communication, record keeping, nursing knowledge, skills, and equipment, and competence in the field of occupational health, with a participation of 91.7%. In terms of the qualifications of occupational health nurse, a consensus was reached on observation, examination, evaluation, research, health promotion, compliance with confidentiality and ethical rules, and working in harmony with the team, with a participation of 94.4%. Experts stated with 97.7% participation, the duties of the occupational health nurse should be to provide health education, improve health, perform the continuous education of the employees, and guidance and counseling with 94.4% participation. As for the responsibilities of the occupational health nurse, the titles of creating a healthy and safe workplace, participating in employment and periodic health examinations, establishing, and maintaining effective communication with employees, acting in accordance with ethical principles, and providing continuous professional development were reported with 97.7% participation. Experts reported the following topics: occupational accidents and occupational diseases, duties, authorities, and responsibilities of the occupational health nurse, occupational health and safety legislation, health education, risk assessment, effective communication and counseling, ethics, health literacy for the content of the certificate program with 97.7% participation. A minimum of 80 hours and a maximum of 500 hours of opinions for the total duration of the certificate training were reported. In line with current requirements, structuring postgraduate education, organizing certificate programs under the leadership of professional organizations, and strengthening cooperation have been suggested. Considering this study results, legal regulation should be performed for occupational health nursing.