2020/12/16 by Tiitta Iira, Iira Tiitta, McDermott‐Levy Ruth +3 · 2 citations
Environmental Science · Social Sciences · #Climate Change Communication and Perception #Climate Change and Health Impacts #Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
paper · doi:10.1111/nuf.12540
crossref issued 2020/12/16 · crossref published 2020/12/16 · crossref published-online 2020/12/16 · openalex publication_date 2020/12/16 · crossref created 2020/12/18 · crossref published-print 2021/04/01 · crossref deposited 2022/12/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/29 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
BACKGROUND: Climate change has a direct and indirect impact on human health that include health impacts from rising temperatures and poor air quality. This challenges the health sector in many ways. Nurses should be aware of these health effects and the patients who are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts caused by climate change. PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to identify the health issues that Finnish registered nurses associate with climate change and to determine nurses' perception of their preparation to address the health impacts of climate change. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through semi-structured focus group interviews. RESULTS: Nurses reported observing changes in health of their patient populations. The nurses attributed some changes in their patients' health to climate change. Interviewed nurses felt that climate change was not adequately addressed in their basic nursing education and in staff development. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to include climate change and its impact on human health in the nurses' curriculum and in continuing education for practicing nurses.