Gender and perceived nurse caring in nurse–patient dyads

Abstract

The effect of nurse gender on nurse and patient perceptions of nurse caring was explored. Members of nurse-patient dyads (N = 145), equally distributed among the four possible gender combinations, completed matching forms of the Caring Questionnaire immediately following a shift. Perceptions of nurse caring that actually occurred during the preceding shift, as well as usual preferences about nurse caring, were measured. Results of two-factor ANOVAS showed no significant differences in actual caring according to nurse gender from either the nurse or the patient perspective. Expectations of certain nurse caring behaviours, however, were significantly lower for male nurses from both nurse and patient perspectives. The results suggest implications for nursing practice, education and further research.

Comments on “The importance of nurse caring behaviours as perceived by Swedish hospital patients and nursing staff”

“…Larsson et al (1998) highlighted the need for further investigation of what makes patient-staff communication effective on the grounds that it may contribute to more effective staff assessment of patient perceptions. Ekstrom (1999) found a significant gender effect amongst nurses and argued for future investigations into the impact of gender on perceptions of nurse caring. Gardner et al (2001) suggested that future research needed to consider potential differences in the perceptions of 'junior' and 'senior', 'younger' and 'older' nurses and 'Enrolled and Registered nurses.…”

“…They noted the limitation of relying upon staff perception about a hypothetical or average patient and suggested the study of more closely aligned samples of matched patient-nurse dyads where patients answered for themselves and staff responded in relation to specific patients in their care. Research proceeded then to focus specifically upon matched dyads in cancer care (von Essen et al 1994(von Essen et al , 1995, nursing home care (Smith and Sullivan 1997) and acute care (Ekstrom 1999). Larsson et al (1998) utilised a larger sample of matched dyads in cancer care in an effort to increase the representativeness of their findings.…”

Therapeutic Relationship Between Male Nursing Students and Female Patients

“…Such a perception may be due to the gender-biased view that men are good at handling machines and possess better problem-solving skills (Kleinman, 2004). However, male nurses are thought to be less sensitive to other people's emotions and less caring than female nurses (Ekstrom, 1999;Hodes Research, 2005). Last, the sexual orientation of male nurses has often been questioned by the public, and many male nurses are unfairly assumed to be homosexual and effeminate (Fisher, 2009;Hodes Research, 2005).…”

“…People tend to believe that male nurses have different attributes than female nurses in terms of leadership qualities, masculinity, technical ability, sensitivity to the emotions of others, and the impact of their sexuality (Anthony, 2004;Ekstrom, 1999;Fisher, 2009;Hodes Research, 2005;Keogh & O'Lynn, 2007;Kleinman, 2004). Male nurses have been perceived as better at taking up leadership roles than female nurses.…”

Korleis vektlegger pasientar og personale ved psykiatriske sjukehus i Norge kva som er god omsorg?

“…Mannlege sjukepleiarar uttrykkjer seg på ein annan måte enn kvinner om kva omsorg er, men dei gjer det ikkje i utførering av omsorg. Pasientane meinte at kjønn hjå sjukepleiarane hadde innverknad på korleis omsorg vart utført (10). Lutzen og Nordin (11) sine studie i Sverige ved hjelp av The Moral Sensitive Questionnaire viser at kjønn, erfaring og utdanning er alle faktorar som innverkar på å ta moralske avgjersler i utøving av psykiatrisk sjukepleie (11).…”