When a patient's family member is a nurse: a portfolio of research

Abstract

This portfolio of research presents three separate research approaches examining the experiences of health care professionals when their ill loved one has been admitted to an acute care hospital. It provides a brief introduction information on contemporary issues related to experiences and needs of health care professionals as family members. The structure of the portfolio incorporates three studies: Study 1, a qualitative systematic review: experiences of health care professionals of having their significant other admitted to an acute care facility. Study 2, a quantitative study: opinions of nurses regarding their experiences when their ill loved ones were admitted to an acute care hospital. While Studies 1 and 2 are directly linked, Study 3 focuses on the experiences of nursing staff in general wards caring for adult patients whose family members are nurses, using a qualitative study. While the final chapter provides a discussion of the portfolio and contains overall findings and offer recommendations for practice.