Purpose: In preventive health work it is possible to map risk factors at healthy individuals which include information and advice aiming to decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This preventive health care is in Sweden carried out primarily by the district nurses and they have a key role in promoting health and prevent cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to examine district nurses' experiences of working with health promotion among patients with risk factors of cardiovascular disease, and to identify possibilities and obstacles for prevention work in the practical reality.
Methods: The study has been carried out with a qualitative approach where narrative interviews were performed with a total of 12 district nurses working at health centers in north Sweden. Data transcripts were analyzed with qualitative content analysis.
Results: The participants express that their work in health promotion is an essence of the job as district nurse. It gives an opportunity to promote healthier lifestyle on an individual level with direct effects on patients' health. Participants are clear about what should be included in the preventive work and mention the topics of diet, exercise, tobacco, alcohol habits and obesity. The district nurses state that education in Motivational Interviewing, (MI), in Physical Activity on Prescription, (PAP) and the colleagues attitudes are important facilitators for making the health promotive work to function in the practical reality. Lack of knowledge (own and among colleagues) and inadequate organizational structures constitute obstacles.
Conclusion: District nurses are unanimous about what should be included preventive health care. It is experienced as an important part of their duties but has sometimes difficulties to prioritize it. Furthermore, the district nurses consider that knowledge within MI, PAP and the employees' attitudes constitute possibilities while one sees lack of time, negative attitudes and inadequate structures that obstacles for the preventive work.