An Exploratory Study of Nurses’ Attitude towards Peer Review in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

摘要

Aim : The objective of this research is to explore the attitude of nurses’ at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital towards peer review. It explores their understanding of the use of peer review as a tool for enhancing accountability, staff development and quality patient care in clinical settings. Background : The HSE has committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and has also emphasised the need for timely feedback to be given to staff in the workplace to enhance their engagement and enable them perform to their upmost ability (HSE, 2015; HSE, 2016). The researcher is a clinical nurse manager 3 in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital with a pivotal role in assisting with the direction and supervision of nursing services to provide a high level of quality patient care. The hospital provides Acute General care, Orthopaedic service, Maternity, Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive care. This study was undertaken to explore how peer review, described in the study as the process used by nurses of the same grade to give constructive feedback on the quality of nursing care provided by their colleagues measured against agreed standards, could enhance quality care provision among professional nurses. Research Method : The research followed a concurrent mixed method approach using questionnaires and focus group. 820 questionnaires were distributed to all grades of nursing and midwifery staff. The returns generatedh 277 responses. The focus group was conducted with nurses who were exposed to a formal peer review practice for a period of one month. Quantitative data was analysed using a statistical package for social science (SPSS) and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and an electronic software package (MAXQDA). Results : The findings showed that nursing staff are in favour of the use of peer review in nursing practice. Nurses want peer review to be done in a professional manner following training on how to give feedback. Participants found that peer review helped them to be reflective on their work practices and how they contribute to the team’s performance. It helped them to know their strengths and weaknesses. The participants in the study felt that peer review should be compulsory and not be anonymous. Conclusion : Nursing staff see a need for peer review practice in the hospital. They feel that it could prove to be an invaluable tool that can to be used to engage and motivate nurses to be more productive and safety conscious in their practice. Ultimately, peer review will lead to better outcomes for staff and patients.