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Usama Saleh
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, USA
ScientificTracks Abstracts: J Nursing Research and Practice
Background: Nursing advocacy is a relatively modern concept and became a very important function of nursing practice as it is considered a fundamental value of professional nursing. Patient advocacy is a complex concept and there have been inconsistencies on the use of this concept and the literature indicate immaturity of the concept.
Purpose: The purpose of this review is to present the current states of evidence to report on nurses’ attitude and perception toward patient advocacy.
Search Methods: We searched for evidence regarding nurses’ attitude, perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors toward patient advocacy in three databases: CINHAL, MEDLINE, and OVID. Gray literature and online resources were used during the search strategy. There was no restriction to the date of publication.
Search Criteria: The inclusion criteria were studies on nurses’ attitude, perception, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors toward patient advocacy published in academic journals in English language. Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method research studies were included in the review. The review excluded studies focused on pediatric and/or neonatal nurses.
Appraisal Process: The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) as a quality assessment tool was used as a framework to review the quality of the full-text articles. The articles were assessed against each CASP criterion. Each article was awarded a value score out of 20 to signify its adherence to the CASP criteria.
Results: A total of 22 studies were eligible, of the 987studies retrieved from selected databases. The total appraisal points of the articles ranged from 13-19 out of 20. The review resulted in two findings: (1) regardless of their clinical areas, nurses consistently have positive attitude toward patient advocacy, and (2) the patient advocacy process includes four elements: (1) morally inappropriate client situation, (2) a professional nurse, (3) advocacy-specific nursing interventions, and (4) the consequences of the advocacy intervention.
Conclusion: The Patient Advocacy Process Model can be effective in defining the multidimensional construct of the advocacy. Preparing professional nurses for the advocacy role is essential part of quality nursing care.
Usama Saleh has more than 16 years of experience and expertise in nursing clinical practice, clinical education, and academic leadership. He assumed various positions starting as an RN caring for oncology patients, clinical instructor at the University of Kentucky, Oncology Clinical Educator, Director of Nursing Education Department at a King Fahad Medical City and a Nursing Department Chair at Herzing University.
E-mail: u_saleh@yahoo.com
+44 7915641605
