Introduction: Studies indicate that patients with chronic mental disorder are prone to more physical health problems. It is known that the physical health care of such patients is deficient. Their life expectancy is shorter than in the healthy population, mainly due to physical diseases. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to present the importance of the health education work of a nurse in relation to the care for the physical health of patients with chronic mental disorders. The diploma work aims to describe the importance of physical health of patients with chronic mental disorders, and it identifies risk factors and protective factors for physical health and highlights the benefits and impact of health education provided by nurses on physical health improvement. Methods: A descriptive method was applied, using a systematic review of domestic and foreign scientific and professional literature. The articles were obtained through electronic databases PubMed/Medline, CINAHL and ScienceDirect. Results: Research shows that physical health is not only poor but still largely an unexplored area of study. Patients with chronic mental disorders are more exposed to a greater number of physical disease risk factors. Emerging risk factors are important to be prevented and managed as well as physical health issues need to be dealt with promptly when they occur. Psychiatric nurses play an important role in improving the physical health of patients; however, they are not sure what their role should be and they also lack appropriate knowledge and skills. The application of appropriate health improvement strategies could help prevent physical health deterioration and premature death of patients with chronic mental disorder. Health promotion is a practical way to start a process of strengthening health through changing unhealthy behaviour and lifestyle. Discussion and conclusion: Psychiatric nurses generally deal with mental disorders whereas physical problems remain overlooked and neglected. Holistic and quality medical treatment should be provided. This highlights the need for a clear definition of the role and importance of meeting physical health needs and for additional training and education since nurses consider that they have insufficient knowledge and skills in this area. These knowledge and skills could be covered during the course of nursing specialisation in psychiatry. Supportive strategies to improve the physical health of patients with chronic mental disorders need to be developed at all levels of health care, thus enabling nurses to take on an independent role inspired by the so called family medicine model practices.
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