An Experimental Investigation into the Effects of Supportive Nursing Care on Primiparous Patients During Labor and Delivery

摘要

This study was conducted to determine the effects that supportive nursing care had on primiparous patients during labor and delivery. The purposes of the study were to: (l) determine the degree of satisfaction patients received from supportive nursing care; (2) determine the effects that supportive nursing care had on the course of labor; (3) determine to what extent supportive nursing care prepared and guided patients through labor when the patients had little previous preparation; (4) determine if supportive nursing care influenced the amount of medication patients needed for comfort; (5) assess the value of a definite plan of supportive nursing care; and (6) determine if the tools utilized in conducting the study would be useful in teaching students and staff nurses. The experimental method was the research design utilized in conducting the study. Twenty-two primiparous, married, clinic patients composed the study group. Ten of these patients received supportive nursing care as outlined, and twelve of the patients received regular hospital nursing care. These patients were compared for likenesses and differences by means of a fixed-alternative questionnaire and information obtained from their hospital records. The data revealed nursing care increased patient satisfaction to a statistically significant degree; possibly decreased the length of labor; maintained patientsu27 satisfaction regardless of the length of labor; decreased the amount of medication required without influencing satisfaction; prepared and guided patients with little preparation through labor and delivery in a satisfactory manner; was accomplished by the use of an effective plan of care; and can be carried out and evaluated through the use of the tools developed for the study. Further studies to validate the findings were recommended. On the basis of the findings recommendations were also made for the improvement of nursing care for patients in labor.