title: Core competencies for UK occupational health nurses: a Delphi study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occupational health nurses (OHNs) play a pivotal role in the delivery of occupational health (OH) services. Specific competency guidance has been developed in a number of countries, including the UK. While it is acknowledged that UK OHN practice has evolved in recent years, there has been no formal research to capture these developments to ensure that training and curricula remain up-to-date and reflect current practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify current priorities among UK OHNs of the competencies required for OH practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A modified Delphi study undertaken among representative OHN networks in the UK. This formed part of a larger study including UK and international occupational physicians. The study was conducted in two rounds using a questionnaire based on available guidance on training competencies for OH practice, the published literature, expert panel reviews and conference discussions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consensus among OHNs was high with 7 out of the 12 domains scoring 100% in rating. 'Good clinical care' was the principal domain ranked most important, followed by 'general principles of assessment & management of occupational hazards to health'. 'Research methods' and 'teaching & educational supervision' were considered least important.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has established UK OHNs' current priorities on the competencies required for OH practice. The timing of this paper is opportune with the formal launch of the Faculty of Occupational Health Nursing planned in 2018 and should inform the development of competency requirements as part of the Faculty's goals for standard setting in OHN education and training.
authors: Healthy Working Lives Group, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ, UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Lalloo
authors: Healthy Working Lives Group, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ, UK.|MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G2 3QB, UK.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Demou
authors: Department of Occupational Health and Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye-Ankara 06100, Turkey.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kiran
authors: Healthy Working Lives Group, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ, UK.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gaffney
authors: Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Occupational Health), University of the West Of Scotland, Paisley Campus, Glasgow PA1 2BE, UK.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Stevenson
authors: Healthy Working Lives Group, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RZ, UK.
authors: E B
authors: EB
authors: Macdonald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Competencies; Delphi study; occupational health nurse training.; occupational health nursing