Astrid Berland

Situational Factors in Focus Group Studies: A Systematic Review

The aim of this study was to see how contextual factors are expressed, used, and analyzed in data collected in focus group discussions (FGDs). The study includes an assessment of how the methodological reporting of contextual factors might influence and improve the trustworthiness of articles. Articles reporting workplace health, stress, and coping among health professionals were identified in a systematic review and used in the analysis. By using Vicseks framework of situational factors for analysis of focus group results as a starting point, we found that contextual factors were most frequently described in the method sections and less frequently in the results and discussion sections. Vicseks framework for the analysis of focus group results covers six contextual and methodological dimensions: interactional factors, personal characteristics of the participants, the moderator, the environment, time factors, and the content of FGDs. We found that the framework does not include a consideration of psychological safety, ethical issues, or organizational information. To deepen the analysis of focus group results, we argue that contextual factors should be analyzed as methodological dimensions and be considered as a sensitizing concept. Credibility, confirmability, dependability, and transferability can be strengthened by using, reporting, and discussing contextual factors in detail. The study contributes to elucidating how reporting of contextual data may enrich the analysis of focus group results and strengthen the trustworthiness. Future research should focus on clear reporting of contextual factors as well as further develop Vicseks model to enhance reporting accuracy and transferability.

Patient safety and falls: a qualitative study of home care nurses in Norway.

This study explored patient safety and falls, based on the experiences of home care nurses. Four focus group interviews were conducted with 20 home care nurses. The data were analyzed by content analysis. This study identified the following four themes: (i) patient safety was not viewed as primary prevention; (ii) the lack of investigation into causes of falls; (iii) the frailty of older people who can no longer live at home independently and safely; and (iv) patient autonomy versus patient safety. In this study, we showed that home care nurses felt that healthcare personnel were more concerned with the treatment of falls, rather than fall prevention. In addition, home care nurses rarely focused on falls before they occurred. The patients autonomy was placed before patient safety. This study illustrates that home care nurses might be more aware of fall prevention in clinical practice. Additional research is recommended to shed more light on this topic.

Sykehusinfeksjoner og pasientsikkerhet

Hospital-acquired infections are a serious problem and can be a threat to patient safety. The purpose of this study is to examine the thoughts and experiences of critical care nurses in regard to hospital-acquired infections and patient safety. This study uses a qualitative design based on focus group interviews. Inclusion criteria for the focus group panels were the following: nurses with advanced training in anesthesiology, intensive care or operating room nurses. The findings show that respect for hygiene protocols becomes reduced over time and this affects patient safety. A busy and stressful work environment can also be a problem when having to adhere to these protocols. They also pointed out the consequences of poor role models in that it was everyones responsibility to adhere to hygiene protocols. Finally, the more experienced nurses had often not up-dated their education. In conclusion, critical care nurses have experienced that hospital-acquired infections and a decrease in patient safety can be result of poor hand hygiene, failure to comply with established protocols, poor role models and a busy and stressful environment. Thoughts and experiences of critical care nurses should be considered in clinical practices in order to reduce hospital-acquired infections and preserve patient safety.

First-line nurse managers' perceptions of the challenges involved in decision-making when older pateints' wish to die

The aim of this study was to explore first‐line nurse managers’ perceptions of the challenges involved in decision‐making concerning older patients who wish to die.