Low-value health care, de-implementation, and implications for nursing research: A discussion paper

• Published in: International journal of nursing studies Vol. 156; p. 104780
• Main Authors: Beks, H., Clayden, S., Wong Shee, A., Manias, E., Versace, V.L., Beauchamp, A., Mc Namara, K.P., Alston, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2024
• Subjects: De-implementation; Implementation; Low-value care; Nursing; Nursing research; Nursing workforce; Low-value care; Nursing; Nursing research; De-implementation; Nursing workforce; Implementation
• ISSN: 0020-7489; 1873-491X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104780

Globally, the nursing profession constitutes the largest proportion of the health workforce; however, it is challenged by widespread workforce shortages relative to need. Strategies to promote recruitment of the nursing workforce are well-established, with a lesser focus on strategies to alleviate the burden on the existing workforce. This burden may be exacerbated by the impact of low-value health care, characterised as health care that provides little or no benefit for patients, or has the potential to cause harm. Low-value health care is a global problem, a major contributor to the waste of healthcare resources, and a key focus of health system reform. Evidence of variation in low-value health care has been identified across countries and system levels. Research on low-value health care has largely focused on the medical profession, with a paucity of research examining either low-value health care or the de-implementation of low-value health care from a nursing perspective. The objective of this paper is to provide a scholarly discussion of the literature around low-value health care and de-implementation, with the purpose of identifying implications for nursing research. With increasing pressures on the global nursing workforce, research identifying low-value health care and developing approaches to de-implement this care, is crucial.