Action research as a catalyst for change: Empowered nurses facilitating patient participation in rehabilitation

Abstract

Based on action research as a practitioner‐involving approach, this article communicates the findings of a two‐year study on implementing patient participation as an empowering learning process for both patients and rehabilitation nurses. At a rehabilitation facility for patients who have sustained spinal cord injuries, eight nurses were engaged throughout the process aiming at improving patient participation. The current practice was explored to understand possibilities and obstacles to patient participation. Observations, interviews and logbooks, creative workshops and reflective meetings led to the development and testing of four new rehabilitation initiatives aimed at enhancing patient participation. This study suggests that skills of critical reflection from action research toolbox shed light on both the notion of patient participation and caring in nursing rehabilitation. By actively involving nurses in research, the knowledge development stems from practice and the solutions therefore became practice‐oriented. In addition, the personal and professional development experienced by the involved nurses points to a secondary gain in the form of an analytical and reflective approach to complex issues in relation to patient participation, rehabilitation in general and the individual nurses' sense of professional pride.

Enhancing capability for continuous organisational improvement and learning in healthcare organisations: a systematic review of the literature 2013–2022

“…Some only reported using a single method, for example, the krAft methodology, 34 while others reported on several methods or the adoption of an entire approach, for example, lean management. 45 Common aspects of these methods that were mentioned were reflection 21 49 53 56–58 , and conducting small tests of change/experiments 40 47 49 54 59 60 .…”

“…The use of structured, systematic methods with a prototype/experiment approach 56 was among the most common facilitating factors. Other common facilitating factors were related to learning by doing 62 , the use of reflection 40 and meetings and forums for communication 37 . Communication failures 43 were mentioned as a hindering factor, as well as issues with measurements and reports 46 and technical issues.…”

Nursing perspectives on reducing sedentary behaviour in sub‐acute hospital settings: A mixed methods study

“…This would include promoting and supporting ongoing education and training, which are fundamental for maintaining and enhancing nursing knowledge and skills. Further, as suggested in recent Danish research (Steensgaard et al, 2020), empowering nurses to have more active involvement in patient engagement and care planning, including through knowledge and skills development, has the effect of increasing their capacity and willingness to identify, speak up about and act on inferior work practices. This is a particularly important consideration, given the already identified factors that may mitigate against sound, reflective and purposive nursing practice.…”

Quantifying Hand Strength and Isometric Pinch Individuation Using a Flexible Pressure Sensor Grid

“…Many research labs and clinics use digital dynamometers to quantify the total force exerted by the hand during a trial of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) as an objective adjunct to MMT for hand strength [23,24]. However, this technique is a gross assessment that does not detect subtle deficits in hand function [25][26][27]. Moreover, there is no commercially available digital dynamometer designed to measure dexterous modulation of individual finger strength, which is a core component of tasks required for daily living [1,2,[28][29][30][31][32][33].…”