The purpose of this paper is to present an in-depth analysis of the concept of patient participation. The analysis was undertaken using the method described by Walker and Avant. Patient participation is defined and the critical attributes are identified. Model, borderline and contrary cases illustrate what the concept is and is not. The meaning of patient participation is compared with patient partnership, patient collaboration and patient involvement, three related cases. The antecedents and consequences of patient participation are investigated to further refine the critical attributes. Empirical referents are illuminated. The value of concept analysis in relation to precise communication, critical thinking and the advancement of the knowledge base of nursing is discussed.

This article presents a critical review of the concept of patient participation. The concept of patient participation has become widely accepted in contemporary nursing practice. It is now part of the vocabulary of professional nurses and has been heralded as a means of enhancing decision making and human dignity and enriching quality of life. Patient participation in care is emerging as a growing movement wherein patients are assuming more responsibility for the prevention, detection and treatment of health problems in a manner that supplements or substitutes for professional services. The review concludes with some recommendations for nursing practice, education and research.

This article presents a critical review of the concept of patient participation. The concept of patient participation has become widely accepted in contemporary nursing practice. It is now part of the vocabulary of professional nurses and has been heralded as a means of enhancing decision making and human dignity and enriching quality of life. Patient participation in care is emerging as a growing movement wherein patients are assuming more responsibility for the prevention, detection and treatment of health problems in a manner that supplements or substitutes for professional services. The review concludes with some recommendations for nursing practice, education and research.

The bedside handover is a universal phenomenon in nearly every type of care setting. It has become the chief arena for the intershift handover in contemporary nursing practice. Published literature investigating patients' viewpoints on the location of the bedside handover is sparse. The overall aim of this study is to describe and provide an analysis of patients' perceptions of the bedside handover. A grounded theory approach to data collection and data analysis was employed to capture surgical patients' views about the bedside handover. The analysis tentatively suggests the existence of three categories that describe the patients' perceptions of the bedside handover. 'Maintaining a Professional Distance', 'Establishing Professional Sharing' and 'Maintaining Patient Safety.'

Structured AbstractBackground: Quality enhancement in higher education is essentially a planned process of change that leads to continuous improvement in the effectiveness of the learning experience of students and the students" experience of higher education. Published literature that explores the concept in the reality of practice is sparse. Purpose:The overall aim of this study was to capture and provide an analysis of academic staffs" perceptions of enhancing the student learning experience.Design/Method/Sample: A qualitative research design was employed to capture a range of academic staffs" views. Data was collected by way of three digital voice recorded focus group interviews (n=26). Informants were from a diverse range of subject disciplines and professional groups including nursing, midwifery, social work, radiography, physiotherapy, psychology, pharmacy and life sciences. A modified version of the data analysis method advocated by Chenitz and Swanson (1986) was used to analyse the data. Findings:The analysis suggests the existence of three conceptual categories; "Establishing Readiness", and "Connecting with the Students" and "Developing a Work and Learning Environment". KeywordsAcademic staff perceptions, quality enhancement, student learning experience, student engagement.