Nurses’ and patients’ perceptions of caring behaviours: quantitative systematic review of comparative studies
Journal
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Date Issued
June 2011
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05580.x
Abstract
Aim. This paper is a report of a systematic review conducted to test the hypothesis
that nurses and patients perceive the concept of caring in nursing differently.
Background. Caring is viewed as the central focus of nursing. However, despite its
fundamental place in clinical practice, researchers and scholars have failed in
reaching a common definition. This failure has led to eliciting for nebulous interpretations
of the concept often leading to perplexity and opposing views between
patients and nurses.
Data sources. Extensive search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL and
EMBASE between March and May 2009 with no publishing time limit and the
keywords ‘care’, ‘caring’, ‘nurse’, ‘nursing’, ‘behavio(u)rs’, ‘patient’, ‘perception’,
‘quantitative’ and ‘comparative’.
Review methods. This quantitative systematic review of comparative studies followed
the guidance of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. A seven-item ‘yes’
or ‘no’ checklist was developed and used for appraising the quality status of the
selected literature. Narrative summary technique was used to report outcomes.
Results. Evidence of incongruence of perceptions between patients and nurses is
mainly supported by the literature. Few studies, however, report aspects of congruence.
Conclusion. There is considerable evidence of the assertion that there is no congruence
of perceptions between patients and nurses as regards to which behaviours are
considered caring and intended caring is not always perceived as such by the patient.
Further research is needed, however, to generate more knowledge on the relationship
between caring behaviours, patient outcomes and health or nursing costs.
that nurses and patients perceive the concept of caring in nursing differently.
Background. Caring is viewed as the central focus of nursing. However, despite its
fundamental place in clinical practice, researchers and scholars have failed in
reaching a common definition. This failure has led to eliciting for nebulous interpretations
of the concept often leading to perplexity and opposing views between
patients and nurses.
Data sources. Extensive search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL and
EMBASE between March and May 2009 with no publishing time limit and the
keywords ‘care’, ‘caring’, ‘nurse’, ‘nursing’, ‘behavio(u)rs’, ‘patient’, ‘perception’,
‘quantitative’ and ‘comparative’.
Review methods. This quantitative systematic review of comparative studies followed
the guidance of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. A seven-item ‘yes’
or ‘no’ checklist was developed and used for appraising the quality status of the
selected literature. Narrative summary technique was used to report outcomes.
Results. Evidence of incongruence of perceptions between patients and nurses is
mainly supported by the literature. Few studies, however, report aspects of congruence.
Conclusion. There is considerable evidence of the assertion that there is no congruence
of perceptions between patients and nurses as regards to which behaviours are
considered caring and intended caring is not always perceived as such by the patient.
Further research is needed, however, to generate more knowledge on the relationship
between caring behaviours, patient outcomes and health or nursing costs.