J J Churchman1, C Doherty. 1. InHealth Group, High Wycombe. jackie.churchman@inhealthgroup.com
Abstract
AIM: To explore the extent to which nurses are willing to challenge doctors' practice in everyday situations in an acute NHS hospital. METHOD: Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews with 12 nurses in an acute NHS hospital in England. FINDINGS: Participants believed that they challenged doctors' practice and acted as patients' advocates. However, data revealed that nurses questioned doctors' practice only under specific circumstances. Nurses would not challenge doctors if they perceived that this would result in conflict or stress, if they were afraid of the doctor or feared reprisal. CONCLUSION: Nurses are discouraged from challenging doctors' practice by the structural inequality arising from the gender division of labour and doctors' expert knowledge and status (medical dominance) in the workplace.
AIM: To explore the extent to which nurses are willing to challenge doctors' practice in everyday situations in an acute NHS hospital. METHOD: Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews with 12 nurses in an acute NHS hospital in England. FINDINGS:Participants believed that they challenged doctors' practice and acted as patients' advocates. However, data revealed that nurses questioned doctors' practice only under specific circumstances. Nurses would not challenge doctors if they perceived that this would result in conflict or stress, if they were afraid of the doctor or feared reprisal. CONCLUSION: Nurses are discouraged from challenging doctors' practice by the structural inequality arising from the gender division of labour and doctors' expert knowledge and status (medical dominance) in the workplace.
Authors: George Wing Yiu Ng; Jack Kwok Hung Pun; Eric Hang Kwong So; Wendy Wai Hang Chiu; Avis Siu Ha Leung; Yuk Han Stone; Chung Ling Lam; Sarah Pui Wa Lai; Rowlina Pui Wah Leung; Hing Wah Luk; Anne Kit Hung Leung; Kin Wah Au Yeung; Kang Yiu Lai; Diana Slade; Engle Angela Chan Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-08-11 Impact factor: 2.692