Who is in control? An investigation of nurse and patient beliefs relating to control of their health care

Smith, Rachel; Draper, Peter

Abstract

This study compares nurse and patient beliefs regarding control of health and perceptions of the amount of patient control. Data were collected from 21 nurses and 32 patients on a mixed surgical ward, using a series of self‐report questionnaires. No difference was found between nurse and patient perceptions of patient control. However, nurses were found to have a significantly greater desire for control over their own health care and a significantly weaker belief in the influence of powerful others (i.e. doctors and nurses) than did patients. It is suggested that such differences in nurse and patient beliefs will have significant effects on how nurses and patients feel about the care patients receive. Implications of the findings for nursing theory and nurse education are also considered. In the light of previous research showing the stress‐reducing effects of giving control to patients who want and expect it, the study calls for the development of a tool to assess the amount of control desired by each patient. This should help to ensure that nursing care is congruent with the control beliefs of the patient, rather than those of the nurse.

Citation

Smith, R., & Draper, P. (1994). Who is in control? An investigation of nurse and patient beliefs relating to control of their health care. Journal of advanced nursing, 19(5), 884-892. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.1994.tb01165.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 26, 1993
• Online Publication Date: Feb 15, 2006
• Publication Date: 1994-05
• Journal: Journal of advanced nursing
• Print ISSN: 0309-2402
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2648
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 884-892
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.1994.tb01165.x
• Keywords: General Nursing
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/400229
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2648.1994.tb01165.x