Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Seeing beyond monitors-Critical care nurses' multiple skills inpatient patient observation: Descriptive qualitative study
List of Authors: Alastalo M, Salminen L, Lakanmaa RL, Leino-Kilpi H
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Journal name in source: INTENSIVE AND CRITICAL CARE NURSING
Journal acronym: INTENS CRIT CARE NUR
Volume number: 42
Start page: 80
End page: 87
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 0964-3397
eISSN: 1532-4036
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2017.03.004
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of multiple skills in patient observation in critical care nursing.Research methodology: Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.Setting: Experienced critical care nurses (n = 20) from three intensive care units in two university hospitals in Finland.Findings: Patient observation skills consist of: information gaining skills, information processing skills, decision-making skills and co-operation skills. The first three skills are integrated in the patient observation process, in which gaining information is a prerequisite for processing information that precedes making decisions. Co-operation has a special role as it occurs throughout the process.Conclusion: This study provided a comprehensive description of patient observation skills related to the three-phased patient observation process. The findings contribute to clarifying this part of the competence. The description of patient observation skills may be applied in both clinical practice and education as it may serve as a framework for orientation, ensuring clinical skills and designing learning environments. Based on this study, patient observation skills can be recommended to be included in critical care nursing education, orientation and as a part of critical care nurses' competence evaluation. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of multiple skills in patient observation in critical care nursing.Research methodology: Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.Setting: Experienced critical care nurses (n = 20) from three intensive care units in two university hospitals in Finland.Findings: Patient observation skills consist of: information gaining skills, information processing skills, decision-making skills and co-operation skills. The first three skills are integrated in the patient observation process, in which gaining information is a prerequisite for processing information that precedes making decisions. Co-operation has a special role as it occurs throughout the process.Conclusion: This study provided a comprehensive description of patient observation skills related to the three-phased patient observation process. The findings contribute to clarifying this part of the competence. The description of patient observation skills may be applied in both clinical practice and education as it may serve as a framework for orientation, ensuring clinical skills and designing learning environments. Based on this study, patient observation skills can be recommended to be included in critical care nursing education, orientation and as a part of critical care nurses' competence evaluation. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.