Perceptions and experiences of hospital-based clinical nurses regarding collaboration with occupational health nurses

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to clarify whether clinical nurses are aware of the need for collaboration with occupational health nurses, the actual situation of collaboration. Methods: The questionnaire was sent to all 497 nursing staff members of Municipal Hospital A in Japan, and clinical nurses (n=283) in charge of worker patient care at hospital were analyzed. We first tabulated the subjects’ background characteristics and their awareness and practice regarding collaboration with occupational health nurses. Results: About awareness of the need for collaboration with occupational health nurses, 176 (62.2%) answered in the affirmative. We found 8 (2.8%) practiced collaboration. Discussion: The reason for the lack of awareness of collaboration and practitioners was identified as a lack of understanding of the role and duties of occupational health nurses. Conclusion: Many clinical nurses were unaware of the need for collaboration with occupational health nurses. and very few practiced collaborations.