Factors contributing to implicit rationing of nursing care: Qualitative responses to a survey of Slovak nurses
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to identify the main contributing factors to the implicit rationing of nursing care in the Slovak Republic. Design: A mixed-method study.
Methods: In our study, we included 504 registered nurses from two university hospitals and three teaching hospitals. Respondents who answered the open-ended question were involved in the further analysis.
The Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PIRNCA) instrument was used for measuring the implicit rationing of nursing care. The open-ended question in the questionnaire was the subject of the thematic analysis in this study.
Results: Four major topics were identified regarding staffing issues, material resources, documentation, and management issues. Moreover, other problems unrelated to the issues emerged.
Conclusions: Identified factors were considered to be significant. Within our study, the emphasis was placed on three main factors which were described concerning the nursing profession.
Only management can improve these conditions. Therefore we present the results for further consideration by hospital management.