Nurses could "play a key role" in the prevention of armed crime and its consequences | New

The paper, published in Journal of Nursing Scholarshipargues that gun violence is a major public health problem around the world.

"The goal of nursing is to keep people healthy and safe and to help bring injured people back to their optimal state of health."

Thérèse Richmond

However, he says research to prevent or reduce its impact on individuals, families and communities is limited – and suggests that nurses are well positioned to fill this gap.

The article from the Pennsylvania School of Nursing and the Penn Injury Science Center highlights the key role nurses play in providing direct care to victims of emergency shootings with well-organized trauma systems that help survival.

"The integration of systems and the smooth flow of transfers from nurses and other health professionals are essential for high quality care," the paper said.

Nurses also play an important role in helping patients traumatized by armed violence who may develop post-traumatic stress disorder or become depressed, he added.

"Nurses play a central role in assessment, early recognition and management of psychological needs," the document says.

However, this also suggests that nurses need to be aware of the broader impact, including the consequences of observing or living in a community where gun violence is prevalent.

For example, children who live near a shootout and who hear gunshots at night report having difficulty sleeping and are more likely to be kept inside by worried parents. for their safety.

At the same time, research has shown that women who witness violence in their neighborhood are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety and have poorer health.

"Nurses from all walks of life should be sensitive to the impact of exposure and assess the needs of youth and adults," said the newspaper, which describes gun violence as a "priority public health ".

As violence increases in the UK, the need to adopt a public health model – in which violence is treated as a disease – is receiving increasing support, inspired by the success of the programs to reduce violence in the United States and Scotland.

In September of this year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced his intention to establish a violence-reduction unit in London that would bring together specialists who would work together on a public health approach to contain the problem. stop and address the root causes.

In the United States, the gun crime debate has been polarized between those fighting firearms and the pro-gun lobby.

However, the paper suggests that research nurses are well placed to change the course of the debate by making gun violence a health issue and involving those involved in research.

Key research areas include practical topics such as the most effective ways to mitigate physical injuries caused by gunshots and manage symptoms, including psychological effects and long-term pain.

At the same time, university nurses could also study the impact of different national government policies around the world.

Lead author, Therese Richmond, a professor of nursing and associate dean of research and innovation at the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, hoped that nurses would accept the challenge outlined in l & # 39; section.

"The goal of nursing is to keep people healthy and safe and to help injured people regain their optimal state of health and well-being," concluded the document.

He adds, "Understanding the factors that contribute to injuring an armed person with a firearm in a variety of physical, social, economic and cultural environments encourages nurses to broaden the dialogue beyond firearms versus firearms. design and conduct rigorous studies. reduce gun violence. "