An exploration of undergraduate nursing and physiotherapy students’ views regarding education for patient handling

Abstract

Aims and objectives. To ascertain the views of undergraduate student nurses and physiotherapists regarding their education in patient handling. Background. Musculo‐skeletal injuries are an important cause of staff sickness absence and attrition from the nursing profession and are a recognised problem within the physiotherapy profession. Nurses and physiotherapists are at risk of musculo‐skeletal injuries as a result of their role in assisting patients with movement. Methods. A questionnaire survey was undertaken of undergraduate nursing and physiotherapy students (n = 371) at one university. Results. Most students agreed that university teaching about moving and handling prepared them for clinical practice (64%). Over a third reported that they had never undertaken a written moving and handling risk assessment in clinical practice (38%). Almost half of the sample (40%) admitted undertaking unsafe moving and handling activities. Half (50%) also stated that they would rather ‘fit’ into the team than challenge unsafe practice. Almost a third (29%) stated that they had begun to experience pain since becoming a student. There were significant differences between nursing and physiotherapy students. Physiotherapy students were more likely to report being supervised when moving and handling and reported being more assertive about adhering to safe practice. Conclusions. The well‐being of both nursing and physiotherapy undergraduate students is threatened when students undertake work placements in clinical settings. University‐based education in safe patient handling, though important, can be undermined by workplace settings where unsafe practices occur. Collaboration is needed between university educators, managers and practice‐based mentors to support students to maintain safe approaches to moving and handling patients. Relevance to clinical practice. A third of students reported developing pain since becoming a healthcare student. Students entering their professions already injured may leave the workforce owing to poor physical well‐being. It is vital that the clinical workplace supports safe systems of working.

Nursing Students’ Occupational Health and Safety Problems in Surgical Clinical Practice

“…Nursing students, like qualified nurses, face difficulties with transport, carry of patient and equipment and musculoskeletal disorders. Researchers in the United Kingdom and Australia suggest that students face difficulties in safe handling practices in clinical situations; some nursing students have experienced severe low back pain due to lifting and bending characteristics (Cornish & Jones, 2010;Kneafsey et al, 2012;Mitchell et al, 2008). Nursing education in universities in Turkey requires 4 years of full-time university study and 4,600 hr; 50% includes theoretical training, and 50% includes clinical practice training.…”

Ergonomika: dalyko turinys ir metodologija

“…Nustatyta, kad Lietuvoje ergonomikos dalyko mokymui naudojamos pagalbinės priemonės, tačiau tyrime dalyvavę respondentai nurodė, kad ne visas pagalbines priemones turi mokymo kabinetuose, teigdami, kad studentai turi galimybę susipažinti ir išbandyti jas klinikinės praktikos metu. Mokslininkai pabrėžia bendradarbiavimo svarbą tarp aukštųjų mokyklų dėstytojų ir klinikinės praktikos vadovų bendro požiūrio į saugų pacientų kūno padėties keitimo ir perkėlimo mokymą (Kneafsey, Ramsay, Edwards, Callaghan, 2012).…”

Mobility care in nursing homes: development and psychometric evaluation of the kinaesthetics competence self-evaluation (KCSE) scale

“…natural mobility [ 10 ]. Five instruments were identified that assess nursing staff’s knowledge and skills regarding learned principles [ 11 , 23 – 26 ]. Instruments developed by Betschon et al (2011), Kindblom-Rising et al (2011) and Kneafsey and Haigh (2009) include questions for assessing participants’ attitude and motivation and perception of their role in mobility rehabilitation.…”

“…Instruments developed by Betschon et al (2011), Kindblom-Rising et al (2011) and Kneafsey and Haigh (2009) include questions for assessing participants’ attitude and motivation and perception of their role in mobility rehabilitation. Although, most of these instruments underwent preliminary testing regarding face and/or content validity with experts and/or nursing staff [ 11 , 24 – 26 ], only few have reported additional psychometric testing [ 10 , 26 ]. No self-evaluation instrument was identified that includes all areas of nursing staff’s competence in mobility care based on kinaesthetics.…”