The process of nursing guidance for a robot -assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy patient on the urological ward

Abstract

Nursing guidance aims to promote the patient´s self-care and autonomy. The process of nursing guidance has to be efficient to achieve its goal. The purpose of this thesis is to describe the process of nursing guidance for a RALP patient on the urological ward at Peijas hospital. The research topic developed during the researchers` clinical practice on the urological ward when experiencing deficiencies in the process of nursing guidance during discharge of the RALP patient.

The thesis was based on a qualitative research approach. The theoretical framework was gained by literature review. The open interview was the method of data collection. The key informant was a registered nurse from the urological ward. The interview was audio-recorded, transcribed and translated from Finnish into English. The gathered information was analyzed by using inductive content analysis. Five phases and the content of the process of nursing guidance for a RALP patient from admission to discharge were briefly described. The main focus of the study was on the process of nursing guidance on the urological ward. Four time periods of the process were distinguished, under which the content of the process was explained. The QPR (Quality, Process, Result) Process Guide Program was used as a data management method to report the findings. The first QPR graph created described the process of nursing guidance for a RALP patient from admission to discharge. The second QPR graph illustrated the process of nursing guidance for a RALP patient on the urological ward. The QPR graphs are a tool to develop the process of nursing guidance during discharge of the RALP patient and help the nurses in creating a check-list as a common guideline to follow during discharging the patient. Further research on the process of nursing guidance for a RALP patient on the urological ward may be conducted from RALP patients` or various health care professionals `points of views to develop the process.