A qualitative study of nurse participation in global health in the English NHS: participation, interest, and barriers to participation

Hinds, Rachael; Goldstone, Ross; McCarthy, Rose; Byrne, Ged; Keen, David

Abstract

Background: Nurses contribute to the largest demographic of the healthcare workforce. However, given current global shortages of workforce capacity, this often leads to limited capacity to engage in extracurricular educational developments beyond their immediate role. Consequently, this significantly limits the range of workforce training and development opportunities that are available to them, which could enhance the variety of skills that are brought to the National Health Service (NHS).

Objective: We aimed to understand prior, current, and future participation in global health activities such as global health conferences, networks, and placements, among National Health Service (NHS) staff. Furthermore, we investigated the barriers and facilitators to participation in global health activities for nurses in our sample.

Method: Qualitative and quantitative data was gathered from an online survey conducted in England from July to November 2021. Thematic analysis was used to examine the qualitative data collected from one open-ended question, whereas statistical analysis was used to examine the remaining quantitative data. Results: Most (84%) nurses in our sample had not participated in a global health activity. Our results highlighted three barriers to participation, including insufficient communication, a lack of awareness, and capacity issues.

Conclusion: This study showed that, despite low levels of prior participation, there is a strong desire among surveyed nurses to be involved in global health activities and education. Our findings also suggest that enhanced communication of opportunities available is needed, in addition to organisational support which incorporates strategies to overcome capacity constraints.

Citation

Hinds, R., Goldstone, R., McCarthy, R., Byrne, G., & Keen, D. (in press). A qualitative study of nurse participation in global health in the English NHS: participation, interest, and barriers to participation. BMC Nursing, 23, Article 707. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02217-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 1, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 10, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 10, 2024
• Journal: BMC Nursing
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Article Number: 707
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02217-z
• Keywords: Qualitative, Nurses’ global health placements, Nurses’ global health education, Global health education, Global health, Global health participation