The attitude of health care professionals towards prescribing medicines
A mixed method study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2023.57.2.3163Keywords:
competencies, professionalization, education system, pharmacology, health care systemAbstract
Introduction: In many European countries, nurses have acquired the competence of prescribing medicines. The purpose of the research was to examine the attitudes of nurses in Slovenia towards prescribing medicines by nurses.
Methods: We used a mixed research approach. The quantitative opportunity sample included 61 nursing staff, and the qualitative dedicated sample included 10 nursing staff from a variety of clinical settings. As a tool, we used online questionnaires in the field of pharmaceutical care in quantitative research (Cronbach α = 0.954). The results of quantitative research were analyzed using the computer program SPSS ver. 21. The qualitative part of the research was conducted through partially structured interviews that were analyzed using the content analysis method.
Results: The results showed that nursing staff have a divided opinion regarding the prescribing of medications by nurses. Respondents with longer work experience (> 12 years) are more in favor of prescribing medicines by nurses (χ2 = 7,708, p = 0.021). Employees in the clinical environment also have a more positive attitude towards prescribing than those working in research and education (χ2 = 9.721, p = 0.008). The qualitative part showed that the biggest obstacle to asserting a greater role of nurses in the field of prescribing medicine is the lack of knowledge in pharmacology and inadequate legal basis.
Discussion in conclusion: Nurses have concerns about taking over responsibilities in the field of prescribing medicines, but nevertheless expressed a desire for a certain degree of autonomy in this area.
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