Attitude of Nurses towards Substance Abuse Patients: a literature review
Ejiogu, Ugoeze (2023)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023091825968
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023091825968
Tiivistelmä
Background – Nurses play a vital role in patient assessment and care, being the first set of healthcare professionals patients encounter. Sometimes, these patients may present with substance use disorder (SUD) in addition to other medical conditions. Having been classified as a global health concern, substance abuse is associated with various health and social consequences. In such cases, nurses occupy a vantage position in motivating substance abuse patients towards a healthy lifestyle, as they have more frequent contacts with patients than other healthcare professionals. Thus, the approach nurses adopt during such encounters may affect the quality of care and patients’ recovery process.
Aim: the aim of the research was to explore the attitude of nurses in providing nursing care for patients with substance abuse disorder. The purpose of the study was to create awareness on the effects of nurses’ approach to care of substance abuse patients, and to improve professional competence in substance abuse nursing care.
Methods: The study was conducted using the literature review methodology. The Data were collected from CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed healthcare databases (N = 7), from selected articles published between 2013 - 2022. The Data were analysed using the content analysis tool for quantitative and qualitative studies.
Findings: The attitudes exhibited by nurses towards substance abuse patients were categorized into three main categories: professional approach; negative disposition which included prejudices, emotional behaviours, and overt behaviours; as well as mixed feelings.
Conclusions: Nurses attitudes ranged from positive influencing approach to negative behaviours which had significant impact on the quality of care delivered to SUD patients. Various factors such as work experience, age, and cultural stereotypes influenced the nurses’ attitudes. Knowledge and professional development in substance abuse care led to a more positive approach. In addition to personal factors, environmental components in the workplace such as heavy workload, lack of time, and limited resources were identified as barriers to providing quality nursing care to substance abuse patients.
Aim: the aim of the research was to explore the attitude of nurses in providing nursing care for patients with substance abuse disorder. The purpose of the study was to create awareness on the effects of nurses’ approach to care of substance abuse patients, and to improve professional competence in substance abuse nursing care.
Methods: The study was conducted using the literature review methodology. The Data were collected from CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed healthcare databases (N = 7), from selected articles published between 2013 - 2022. The Data were analysed using the content analysis tool for quantitative and qualitative studies.
Findings: The attitudes exhibited by nurses towards substance abuse patients were categorized into three main categories: professional approach; negative disposition which included prejudices, emotional behaviours, and overt behaviours; as well as mixed feelings.
Conclusions: Nurses attitudes ranged from positive influencing approach to negative behaviours which had significant impact on the quality of care delivered to SUD patients. Various factors such as work experience, age, and cultural stereotypes influenced the nurses’ attitudes. Knowledge and professional development in substance abuse care led to a more positive approach. In addition to personal factors, environmental components in the workplace such as heavy workload, lack of time, and limited resources were identified as barriers to providing quality nursing care to substance abuse patients.