Unsafe doctor–nurse interactions in the process of implementing medical orders: A qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Aim This study aimed to explore challenges faced by clinical nurses in the process of implementing medical orders. Design A qualitative study using inductive content analysis. Methods Semi‐structured individual interviews were carried out with 17 participants including nurses, nurse managers and medical doctors who were purposefully selected. The collected data underwent inductive qualitative content analysis. Results The main research finding was the category of ‘unsafe doctor–nurse interaction’. It included three subcategories: ‘conflicts in documenting and executing orders’, ‘not accepting the nurse's suggestions for writing and correcting orders’ and ‘failure to accept the responsibility of orders by the doctor’. Challenges in the professional relationship between doctors and nurses cause mistrust and conflict. They also enhance nurses' concerns about professional and legal issues in the workplace and endanger patient safety.

Keywords

• interaction
• medical order
• medication
• nursing
• patient safety
• qualitative research