Intervening with the psychosocial needs of patients and families: perceived importance and skill level.

Although nurses claim that psychosocial aspects of care are an important part of their practice, it is not clear that the psychosocial aspects of care is evident in clinical practice. This raises the question as to whether a gap exists between the theoretical literature and what is occurring at the bedside. This survey was designed as a means to examine (a) the importance staff nurses place on intervening with patient and family members' psychosocial needs, and (b) nurses' perceived skill level in meeting those psychosocial needs. The questionnaire, psychosocial interventions: perceived importance and skill level, was developed for this study. Questionnaires were distributed to 310 nurses, and 112 questionnaires were returned (37%). Data analyses included the use of descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and analysis of variance. Nurses noted that each psychosocial need identified was quite important when providing care to patients with cancer and their families. However, nurses identified a moderate skill level for intervening with these aspects of care. A variety of individuals and factors were identified as promoting psychosocial care. Time was identified as the number one barrier to psychosocial care. Implications include the need for continuing education and preceptorship models that can be used to enhance nurses' skill in intervening with psychosocial needs of patients and their families.