The Experiences of the Operating Department Assistants in the Perioperative Environment

Abstract

BackgroundThe Operating Department Assistant is employed in the perioperative environment to assist with anaesthetics, scrubbing and circulating duties. Research indicates a lack of this phenomenon experienced by Operating Department Assistant in the perioperative environment. AimTo explore and describe the Operating Department Assistants' experiences in the perioperative environment. Methodological designA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was followed using a phenomenological research method. A purposeful sampling method was utilised to select eight female participants from one private hospital group in Gauteng. In-depth, individual, unstructured interviews were conducted using Giorgi's method of data analysis to reveal the construct of the phenomenon. FindingsThe results revealed that Operating Department Assistants experienced happiness, pride, joy, understanding of their duties and fostered teamwork with in the perioperative environment. Furthermore the Operating Department Assistants experienced unhappiness, revealing role confusion, distrust, emotional suppression, limited professional and exploitation in the perioperative environment. ConclusionThe experiences of the Operating Department Assistants in the perioperative environment was explored and described. The sensitive nature of this phenomenon highlighted the happiness and unhappiness experienced by the Operating Department Assistants in the perioperative environment. Recommendation practices include effective orientation. mentorship, transitioning and partnership to caringly support, clarify the Operating Department Assistant role, affirmation and display their expertise, providing valuabe assistance in the perioperative environment.