The use of advanced physical assessment skills by cardiac nurses

Abstract

Cardiac nurses selectively use physical assessment skills, predominately related to the cardiorespiratory systems. Organisational structure, professional relationships and the professionalism of the individual nurse appear to play a significant part in the use of physical assessment skills. Although the findings from this qualitative study cannot be generalized, they concur with findings from recent research into physical assessment skills used by a variety of UK nurses. The implications identified are: first, for those who provide the education, in terms of what should be taught and facilitated; and second, for organizations, in ensuring staff have assessment skills relevant to their role and that systems are in place to enable the development of a supportive and progressive culture that embraces modernization congruent with healthcare policy.

Perceived Competency, Frequency, Training Needs in Physical Assessment among Registered Nurses

“…Factors that might have influenced the competency and frequency of perormance need further investigation. Edmunds, Ward and Barnes (2010) pointed that the use of assessment skill is not only the matter of educational preparations but the professionalism that individual nurses have. In their study, nurses with broader and clearer views of nursing utilized more assessment skills.…”

Effect of a physical assessment educational program on clinical practice

“…The skills used also depend on nurses' areas of specialty. [16,[19][20][21] Cicolini [18] reported that nurses working in intensive care units or nursing homes are more likely to use physical assessment skills than nurses in other settings.…”

The teaching of physical assessment skills in pre-registration nursing programmes in Australia: Issues for nursing education

“…Programme curricula noted to have a huge amount of physical assessment content however, demand that choices be made about what is actually taught (Giddens, 2007;Secrest, Norwood, & Dumont, 2005). Some studies of nursing curricula distinguish between physical assessment skills and advanced physical assessment skills, suggesting that selective skills may be used in particular contexts (Edmunds, Ward, & Barnes, 2010;Lesa & Dixon, 2007). Influenced by practice setting and patient population, cardiac nurses mainly use skills related to the cardiac system (Edmunds et al, 2010) while the curricula of nurse practitioners demands teaching of advanced practice physical assessment skills (Kelley, Kopac, & Rosselli, 2007;Price, Han, & Rutherford, 2000).…”

“…Some studies of nursing curricula distinguish between physical assessment skills and advanced physical assessment skills, suggesting that selective skills may be used in particular contexts (Edmunds, Ward, & Barnes, 2010;Lesa & Dixon, 2007). Influenced by practice setting and patient population, cardiac nurses mainly use skills related to the cardiac system (Edmunds et al, 2010) while the curricula of nurse practitioners demands teaching of advanced practice physical assessment skills (Kelley, Kopac, & Rosselli, 2007;Price, Han, & Rutherford, 2000). This situation suggests that given time pressures on undergraduate programme teaching hours, the skills that are required of generalist nurses in practice should be given priority in this curriculum.…”

“…Barriers to patient assessments include nurses' perceived lack of knowledge, a lack of confidence in skills (Lont, 1992) and lack of experience in nursing generally (Yamauchi, 2001). Others report a lack of peer support and some skills considered to be outside the nursing domain (Edmunds et al, 2010;Lesa & Dixon, 2007). There is ongoing discussion in the literature about whether physical assessment is the domain of medicine or nursing or else a shared professional responsibility across the health professions (Fennessey & Wittmann-Price, 2011;Lesa & Dixon, 2007;West, 2006).…”