“What are nurses’ experiences and perceptions of caring for patients with drug dependency in surgical-medical wards? A Phenomenological study of Scottish nurses”
Abstract
Aim: This research aims to gain insight, and a deeper understanding into the experiences and
perceptions of nurses caring for patients with drug dependency in surgical-medical wards in Scotland
Background: Illicit drug use remains a global problem. With the rise in its prevalence, the strain on
hospitals becomes apparent with the rise in presenting to hospital with complicated health conditions
as a consequence of their drug use. Research has shown that nurses’ struggle to manage the
complex nature of their health conditions due to an array of negative attitudes, lack of knowledge,
competence, and self-esteem, being a contributing factor to the provision of suboptimal care to this
patient population. Evidence highlighted this contribute to a nurse-patient relationship fuelled by
distrust and dis-engagement which contributes to worsened patient outcomes. Establishing a strong
relationship bound by mutual trust and respect is fundamental for persons with drug dependency to
thrive in their recovery and seek medical assistance.
Methods: Working within the realms of the qualitative paradigm, an interpretive phenological approach
will be adopted. Ten participants working in medical-surgical wards will be recruited to partake in one
to-one semi-structured interviews which will be carried out over the course of a 12-week period in an
Acute Hospital in Edinburgh. Participants will be consented for the interviews to be recorded to
strengthen accuracy in findings. Interviews will consist of open-ended questions, and prompts will be
employed throughout to empower openness in collecting rich, in-depth information about the
participants experiences in maintaining a phenomenological approach and gaining new
understandings.
Relevance to Practice: It is hoped that bringing these findings forward within clinical practice will work
towards increased organisational support, education, and self-efficiency for nurses’ in the provision of
care to persons with addictions. From bringing awareness of nurses’ true experiences, will reflect
change in increasing nurses’ wellbeing whilst caring for this patient population, alongside establishing
positive person-centred outcomes.