Conceptions of learning research: variations amongst French and Swedish nurses. A phenomenographic study

Phenomenographic Approaches in Research About Nursing

We propose that phenomenography is well-suited to research about nursing, given its focus on identifying variation in individuals' experiences, and inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives. Phenomenography explores qualitatively different ways in which a group of people experience a phenomenon, often using semi-structured interviews. The use of phenomenography is especially relevant in research about nursing which provides accounts of the experiences of nurses and patients within complex practice settings. We consider the tenets of phenomenography and examine phenomenography's relationship to and differences from phenomenology. We review literature published about phenomenographic research in nursing and reflect on the potential benefits of phenomenographic research about nursing. This paper adds to knowledge about use of phenomenography in research about nursing.

Challenges and facilitators for health practitioners and academics engaging in collaborative research and publication: A systematic review / Herausforderungen und Förderfaktoren für gemeinsame Forschung und wissenschaftliche Publikation von Angehörigen verschiedener Gesundheitsberufe aus Praxis und Forschung: ein systematischer Review

Introduction

While academics are frequently engaged in research activities and subsequent dissemination of results through publication, all too often they occur without health practitioner involvement. While there are contemporary expectations that health practitioners will be active contributors to their discipline’s body of knowledge, many find it difficult to prioritise research involvement given the demands of direct patient care. With this awareness as a central focus, we undertook a literature review to identify the challenges and facilitators that impact on health practitioners and academics working collaboratively on research and publishing their findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Methods

A configurative systematic review was performed with six electronic databases (Proquest, CINAHL, Medline, ScienceDirect, ERIC, SocINDEX) searched for studies from the disciplines of nursing, social work, allied health professions, health management, psychology and sociology. Manual searches were also undertaken to minimise the risk of missed studies. A rigorous search and retrieval process identified 20 relevant studies for inclusion in the review. The studies were first critically appraised then summarised. These steps were followed by thematic synthesis of the findings of the reviewed studies.

Results

Challenges and facilitators to health practitioners and academics working collaboratively on research activities were found to be related to the interplay between practitioners, academics, educational and health institutions and professional demands. The interplay of these factors emerged as complex.

Conclusion

Strategies have been recommended that may encourage active partnerships between institutions, health practitioners and academics enabling greater research collaborations and subsequent increased publication of their combined achievements.

Undergraduate student nurses' lived experiences of anxiety during their first clinical practicum: A phenomenological study

BACKGROUND

The Fundamental Nursing clinical practicum is an essential module for nursing students. Some feel stress or anxiety about attending this first placement; however, evidence demonstrates that it is rare to explore the feelings of anxiety felt by the nursing students concerning their first clinical practicum.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to explore student nurses' experiences of anxiety felt regarding their initial clinical practicum while studying for their University degree.

DESIGN

A phenomenological approach was used.

SETTINGS

A university in Southern Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

A purposive sampling of fifteen student nurses with anxiety reactions who had completed their first clinical practicum.

METHODS

Data were collected using a semi-structured guide and deep interview. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method.

RESULTS

Three themes surfaced in the findings. The first theme was anxiety around their first clinical practicum, which stirred up anxiety about: self-doubt, worry and fear; difficulty coping with the learning process; worry hampered establishing therapeutic relationships with patients; the progress of the patients' illness could not be predicted; and anxiety felt about lecturer-student interactions. The second theme was three phases of anxiety reactions, which included increasing anxiety before clinical practicum; exacerbated anxiety during clinical practicum, and relief of anxiety after clinical practicum. The third theme was coping behaviors. This comprised: self-reflection in preparation for clinical practicum; finding ways to release emotions; distractions from the anxiety; and, also facing their difficulties head-on.

CONCLUSION

The findings could help raise the awareness of lecturers and students by understanding student nurses' anxiety experiences and facilitating a healthy preparation for their initial clinical practicum, consequently proactively helping reduce potential anxiety experiences.