Cancer patients' perceptions of the good nurse: a literature review.

Full Abstract

This article discusses findings from a mixed method literature review that investigated cancer patients' perceptions of what constitutes a good nurse. To find pertinent articles, we conducted a systematic key word search of five journal databases (1998-2008). The application of carefully constructed inclusion criteria and critical appraisal identified 12 relevant articles. According to the patients, good nurses were shown to be characterized by specific, but inter-related, attitudes, skills and knowledge; they engage in person-to-person relationships, respect the uniqueness of patients, and provide support. Professional and trained skills as well as broad and specific nursing and non-nursing knowledge are important. The analysis revealed that these characteristics nurtured patient well-being, which manifests as optimism, trust, hope, support, confirmation, safety and comfort. Cancer patients' perceptions of what constitutes a good nurse represent an important source of knowledge that will enable the development of more comprehensive and practice-based views on good nursing care for such patients. These perceptions help us to understand how nurses effectively make a difference in cancer patient care.

Author information

Author/s: Rchaidia, Leila (L); Dierckx de Casterlé, Bernadette (B); De Blaeser, Liesbeth (L); Gastmans, Chris (C);

Affiliation: Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Nursing ethics (Nurs Ethics), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 16 (issue 5) : pp 528-42

Dates: Created 2009/08/12; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19671641, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

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