Patient advocacy properties

ABSTRACT

Patients' vulnerability calls for advocacy to be done during hospitalization. Although all members of health care team may advocate patients, nurses show more commitment and tendency towards patient advocacy. Nursing profession has embraced patient advocacy role for nurses, however, what advocacy is needs to be more clarified. This study aims to investigate the patient advocacy perception among Iranian nurses, over 2004. This qualitative study was conducted through Grounded Theory Method. Participants were 24 nurses [clinical nurses, head nurses, supervisors] working in Rasoul Akram hospital affiliated with Iran medical university. Semi-structured interview was used to gather data. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and constant comparative analysis was used simultaneously according to Strauss and Corbin method. One of the main categories emerged during data analysis process was "perception of patient advocacy". This category and its sub-categories dealt with perceptions regarded advocacy by the participants in this research and consisted of performances like informing and educating, valuing and respecting, supporting, protecting and persistent care, follow-up and coordinating. Nurses consider advocacy as an ethical duty and one of their professional roles. Participants also believed that they acted as patient's advocate through performing various activities. Hence, harmonized attempts in educational, research and nursing management units are essential to professionalize the role