"What knowledge and attitudes do accident and emergency nurses' hold towards illicit drug users?" A phenomenological approach.
Citation
(2015) "What knowledge and attitudes do accident and emergency
nurses' hold towards illicit drug users?" A phenomenological approach., no. 58.
Abstract
Background
Illicit drug use is a major problem worldwide, and rates of consumption are
continually increasing. Significant harm is associated with illicit drug use which
impacts on the drug user, causing a range of physical, psychological and social
problems (The Scottish Government 2008). This impacts on public health services,
and creates significant challenges for health care professionals.
Aim
The study would be conducted to identify the levels of knowledge and the attitudes of
accident and emergency nurses in relation to illicit drug users.
Methods
A qualitative research approach will be applied to the study, and a phenomenological
framework will be implemented by the researcher. Purposive sampling would be the
sampling strategy applied to the study, and the criteria would include nurses with
more than 1 year of experience working within an accident and emergency
department. Data would be collected through semi-structured interviews, with
questions contained within an interview guide, allowing for a flexible and focused
exploration of topics (Ellis 2013). The data collected would be analysed through
thematic analysis. The results collected from the proposed study would identify
levels of knowledge and attitudes amongst accident and emergency nurses, and
allow recommendations to be made regarding training and service provision within
the department.