Nursing Student Difficulties Perceived by Clinical Practicum Instructors in Providing Discharge Instructions for Chronic Phase Patients and Resourcefulness in Guidance Regarding Such Difficulties

• Published in: Journal of Japan Society of Nursing Research Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 2_275 - 2_284
• Main Authors: Fukushima, Yoko, Koyama, Mariko, Murata, Yuka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Society of Nursing Research 20.07.2021
• Subjects: chronic phase patients; clinical practicum instructors; Nursing student; providing discharge instructions
• ISSN: 2188-3599; 2189-6100
• DOI: 10.15065/jjsnr.20201215118

Objective: To elucidate the difficulties encountered by nursing students when providing discharge instructions to chronic phase patients as perceived by clinical practicum instructors, and the steps taken by the instructors to alleviate such difficulties. Methods: Semi-structured interviews using an interview guide were conducted on 11 clinical practicum instructors working at eight general hospitals with a capacity of ≥ 300 beds. The interview data were then subjected to a qualitative descriptive analysis. Results: The instructors perceived students to be experiencing difficulties in visualizing patients' post-discharge lives, tailoring instructions to their individual needs, and communicating with their patients. The steps taken by the instructors to alleviate these difficulties included asking questions that encouraged students to visualize patients' post-discharge lives. Further, they provided opportunities for students to gather information and to learn from people in other professions. The instructors also demonstrated the actual provision of discharge instructions to enable students to tailor instructions to patients' individual needs. Conclusions: Critical clinical practice measures for teaching discharge instructions to patients with chronic diseases include enabling students to gain early experience in interacting with patients living at home and in the community, focusing on patients' perspective.