a b s t r a c t
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem worldwide and is likely to
increase during the next decades. Previous research indicates that nurses do not have sufficient
knowledge to give optimal care for patients with COPD. The aim of this study was to explore experiences
that primary care nurses had with an education programme aimed at improving the care of patients with
COPD. We used qualitative focus group interviews with 11 nurses who had completed such an education
programme. Qualitative thematic content analysis was used. One main theme was identified in the
analysis: safety linked with security. This in turn comprised three themes: the experience of security in
one's own knowledge, the experience of security in guidance and the experience of security in practical
skills. Our findings indicate that knowledge and skill enhancement contributed to professional development and strengthened the nurses' confidence in their own knowledge and skills as caregivers for
patients with COPD. In addition, their enhanced knowledge improved their confidence in performing
nursing tasks and made the patients feel secure. Implementing such COPD education programmes for
nurses in primary care is of importance in securing safer patient care.
ISSN:
1471-5953
eISSN:
1471-5953
Description:
Nurse Education in Practice enables lecturers and practitioners to both share and disseminate evidence that demonstrates the actual practice of education as it is experienced in the realities of their respective work environments, that is both in the University/faculty and clinical settings. It is supportive of new authors and is at the forefront in publishing individual and collaborative papers that demonstrate the link between education and practice.