Loma Linda University Health Study Shows Nurses Can Play Greater Role in Improving Public Health

According to a new study conducted by Loma Linda University (LLU) Health, nurses can play a greater role in improving public health. The study was commissioned by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and performed at Loma Linda University.

Judith Lloyd Storfjell, PhD, RN, FAAN, an adjunct professor in the LLU School of Nursing and former Senior VP for the Medical Center, served as the study’s lead researcher. Storfjell found that nurses can play an important role in improving general health but changes in nursing education and practice, leadership, and data management must occur.

The nine-month project included review of more than 600 published articles and professional newsletters, attendance at professional meetings, and interviews with more than 30 experts in nursing education. The study facilitators concluded at a two-day conference attended by 40 experts who reacted to the paper and recommended paths for implementation.

Nurses are the healthcare team members closest to patients, which makes them best situated to recognize patient needs. Frontline nurses provide continuity of care, participating in or leading interprofessional groups that plan post-discharge care plans. In some cases, nurses may also be leaders in working with community partners to improve the overall health of a group or community.

Storfjell tells News.LLU.edu, “Nursing care management is recognized as the most cost effective method of reducing health care utilization and costs.”

The study facilitators ultimately concluded that nurses will need to increase their roles in coordinating care prior to and post discharge to prevent re-hospitalization. The final project details recommendations for nursing education, practice, leadership, research, and policy, and RWJF is in the process of promoting implementation of these recommendations nationally.