Perceptions, experiences and preferences of patients receiving the clinicianʼs touch during intimate care and procedures

O’Lynn, Chad; Cooper, Adam S.; Blackwell, Lisa

doi:10.11124/jbisrir-2016-002698

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…[10] Many male nurses find it difficult to provide nursing care freely, without fear of being falsely accused of sexual violence by patients or their families. [20] In this study, many male nurses feared litigation, especially when caring for female patients. In one study, patients wanted male nurses to communicate with them, and to be given a chance to express a gender preference prior to being treated by a nurse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

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Men in the service of humanity: Sociocultural perceptions of the nursing profession in South Africa

Shakwane

2022

Afr J Health Prof Educ

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Background. The classification of nursing as a female-gendered profession, along with patriarchally determined cultural gender roles, makes it difficult for men to select nursing as a career and to excel in their caring capacity as nurses.Objective. To gain in-depth insights into and an understanding of male nursing students’ perceptions of the nursing profession.Methods. A generic qualitative approach, which was explorative, descriptive and contextual, was used to conduct the study. Sixteen male nursing students at two nursing education institutions in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, were purposively sampled to participate in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and unstructured observation. Thereafter, thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results. Three main themes were developed from the interview data. The participants perceived nursing as the extension of women’s work, with low social status ‒ nursing is not considered to be a profession for men. During the provision of nursing care, feelings of discomfort and embarrassment were experienced. They feared misinterpretation of their care, especially when caring for the naked body when alone with a patient. They resorted to the use of cautious caring, where they do not provide physical care alone, but seek support, especially from female nurses. Conclusion. Male nursing students require role models to support them in their academic journey towards becoming competent practitioners. A male-friendly environment should be created to enable them to provide quality nursing care to all patients. The society needs to be empowered in understanding that men choose the nursing profession to provide care, and that they are capable of caring for the sick.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Basic nursing care requires male nurses to expose and touch the naked body of a patient. [19,20] The reaction of the patient and nurse to such touch is based on the age, gender and cultural background of the parties involved. As mentioned, SA continues to battle the scourge of GBV.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men in the service of humanity: Sociocultural perceptions of the nursing profession in South Africa

Shakwane

2022

Afr J Health Prof Educ

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“… 2 , 3 Although these procedures involve touches that are task-oriented, they might produce feelings of discomfort, anxiety, and fear or might be misinterpreted as having a sexual purpose. 4 These procedures include: bed bathing, examining the cervix for dilation, shaving of the perineum, circumcision, examination of the breast, giving an enema, inserting urinary catheters, bandaging the scrotum and sterilizing the vaginal area. 5 Furthermore, procedures that require intimate touch can cause feelings of embarrassment, discomfort, anxiety and fear for both the nurse and the patient.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does the gender of nurses matter to patients? A qualitative analysis of gender preferences of patients

2023

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Background: This study argues that the gender of a nurse could give patients the emotional and psychological support they need in their healing process. Nonetheless, in many developing countries, these intricate preferences of patients are usually ignored due to poor staffing and logistical capacities of health facilities. As a contribution to this professional and operation gap, this paper explores patients’ preference for nurses’ gender in health care at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. The paper further explores the importance of these preferences to the delivery of patient-centred care in Ghana and across Africa. Objective: The paper has two specific objectives: (a) to explore patients’ preferences for the gender of nurses who attend to them while on admission; and (b) to find out the range of factors that inform these preferences. Methods: Qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used to select adult patients who were not seriously ill and nursed by male and female nurses at the medical and surgical wards of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana for at least 5 days from January to March 2017 and before their discharge. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling technique. A semi-structured interview guide was used to elicit information from 14 participants after seeking their written informed consent. The data were analysed using content analysis. Results: Two major themes emerged. These were: the Preferred Gender of a Nurse in Nursing Care and the Reasons for the Preference or no Preference for Nurses’ Gender in Nursing Care. Under each of these themes, the associated aspects were also discussed. Patients had varying preference for a particular nurse during care but gender was not particularly significant in patients’ preference for nurses. Majority of the participants emphasized their preference for nurses with professional expertise and good virtues to determine a preferred nurse and both genders of nurses can possess these qualities. However, nurses of the same gender as the patient were preferred for intimate procedures to ensure privacy and satisfaction. Conclusion: The gender of a nurse is not on top of the preferences list of patients in the study context. This may be attributed to the long-term practice that the participants have not had the chance to be choosing a preferred nurse’s gender, so most patients are tolerant and familiar with both male and female nurses. Instead, patients’ preferences are determined by the performance and quality of service provided by nurses. Age, maturity and social connections were also found to influence patients’ preferences.

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“…It also involves physical and psychological closeness between a nurse and a patient; a nurse touches a stranger, and a patient allows a nurse to touch their body [10]. The areas of the body that are touched during intimate care provision include genitalia, buttocks, perineum, inner thigh, lower abdomen and breasts [11]. Consequently, intimate care may cross the boundaries of physical and psychological safe spaces due to gender, cultural background, and previous touch experience [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degendering Male Nursing Students’ Intimate Care Provision: A South African Perspective

Shakwane¹

2022

JOMH

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Background: Male nursing students remain a minority group in nursing education and training programmes. They are thought to have diverted from their prescribed roles as men, leading to professional stereotypes and fear of providing intimate care. In addition, the lack of role models and support for male nurses adds to their frustration during clinical placement. The aim of this study was thus to understand male nursing students' experiences when providing intimate care to diverse patients during clinical placement. Methods: A descriptive phenomenology design was employed. Male nursing students from two nursing education institutions in Gauteng province, South Africa, were purposively sampled based on their experiences and their exposure to providing basic nursing care requiring physical closeness and touch. Twelve (12) male nursing students participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using phenomenological analysis of horizontalisation, creating meaning and essence of intimate care experiences. Results: Four themes emerged from intimate care experiences, which were (1) helping others with basic physical care; (2) cultural issues related to touching naked bodies of diverse patients; (3) adherence to basic nursing care principles; and (4) discomforting reactions during intimate care and touch. Conclusions: Male nursing students are willing to provide quality care to diverse patients. However, some do not accept intimate care and touch based on gender. For male nursing students to be competent in caring for patients, they must be able to provide intimate care to diverse patients confidently and comfortably. Thus, degendering intimate care provision is essential for male nursing students-to provide care without fear of being stereotyped and misinterpreted as sexual predators. Instead, they must be accepted as nurses who are helping patients with their physical needs.

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Perceptions, experiences and preferences of patients receiving the clinicianʼs touch during intimate care and procedures

Abstract: What are the perceptions, experiences and preferences of patients receiving the clinician's touch during intimate care and procedures?

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

Men in the service of humanity: Sociocultural perceptions of the nursing profession in South Africa

Men in the service of humanity: Sociocultural perceptions of the nursing profession in South Africa

Does the gender of nurses matter to patients? A qualitative analysis of gender preferences of patients

Degendering Male Nursing Students’ Intimate Care Provision: A South African Perspective

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