Patients’ perceptions and preferences of participation in nursing care

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate patients’ perceptions and preferences of their participation in nursing care during hospitalisation in Greece. The sample consisted of medical and surgical patients ( n = 300). A questionnaire was developed to measure patients’ perception of participation, including an open question and the control preference scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative data analysis and content analysis for qualitative data. Participation was described as ‘information receiving and responsibility’ and ‘ability to influence’. One-third of the respondents preferred a collaborative role with the nurses, while 77.2% rationalised patient participation with the themes ‘strengthening patient’s role’, ‘improve hospitalisation’ and ‘collaborative relationship’. The meaning of participation seems to support shared information, patient responsibility and motivation during nursing care. Patients were aware of the positive effects of their involvement in care and were willing to assume, at least to some extent, an active role in their own care. Changes in nursing care organisation, nurses’ communication skills and additional educational strategies need to be developed and implemented in clinical practice to optimise patient participation.