Physical examination in nursing related to work experience

Abstract

Background: Poland and other European countries have incorporated the physical assessment of patients into nursing practice. Appropriate practical skills and awareness of physical assessment play an important role in early diagnosis, appropriate management, and mitigation of adverse consequences resulting from the deterioration of the patient's health. Aim of the study: The study aimed to evaluate the undertaking of physical examinations (PE) in professional practice by nurses with varying years of service. Material and methods: The study included a group of 171 registered nurses from Poland. Using the author's non-standardized questionnaire, the study examined the professional experience and usefulness of PE in the nursing profession. Results: Most nurses (56.3%) perform PE every day, regardless of seniority. The main reason for not performing PE was lack of time due to other nursing activities (32.7%) and insufficient staffing (29.9%). Some nurses also explained that it was due to the reluctance of medical personnel (24.1%). The most commonly used techniques in PE were inspection (44.1%) and palpation (32.8%). Most nurses (54.5%), regardless of seniority, felt satisfied with their PE performance. In the opinion of the respondents, 68.3% of patients approached PE undertaken by nurses with trust and appreciation, regardless of their seniority. Conclusions: Professional experience did not significantly affect the perception and performance of PE by nurses in professional practice. In the opinion of the respondents, trust and appreciation was the reaction most often declared by patients concerning nurses undertaking PE, which had no statistically significant relationship with the seniority of the nurse.

Usefulness of physical examination in the professional practice of nurses

“…Transferring certain activities, duties and responsibilities for the treatment process to nurses is a method to reduce professional distance and to increase the possibility of interdisciplinary cooperation [12].…”

“…In Czeczelewska's study, nurses, regardless of their place of employment, said that the reason for not performing physical examinations was lack of time, both due to performing other nursing activities and not being fully staffed, and indicated the viewing technique as the most common technique used in performing physical examinations. There is a need for continuous improvement in physical examination skills among nurses regardless of where they work [12].…”

“…The transformation of nursing education in Poland and related changes in the standards of pre-graduate and post-graduate education have made it possible to prepare students to perform physical examinations. Currently, under the regulation of the Minister of Health, a nurse is authorized to perform diagnostic services independently, without a doctor's order, which includes performing a physical examination, if he or she has completed a specialized course or holds a specialist degree in nursing obtained after 2001, or has completed a first degree program in nursing that began in the 2012/2013 academic year [12].…”