Nursing Open (Jul 2019)

Registered Nurses' description of patient advocacy in the clinical setting

  • Comfort Nsiah,
  • Mate Siakwa,
  • Jerry P. K. Ninnoni

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.307
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 3
pp. 1124 – 1132

Abstract

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Abstract Aim To provide Registered Nurses description of patient advocacy in the clinical setting. Design A qualitative approach with descriptive study design was used to meet the set objective. Methods Purposive sampling was used to select the study participants. Through semi‐structured interview, data were collected from 25 participants, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results The Registered Nurses described patient advocacy as promoting patient safety and quality care which includes the following: protecting patients, being patients' voice, provision of quality care and interpersonal relationship as well as educating patients. The nurses had adequate understanding of patient advocacy and were willing to advocate for patients. There is, however, a need to research into barriers to patient advocacy in the clinical setting. This study made significant contribution to the understanding of patient advocacy and its positive effect on the provision of quality patient care.

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