Nurses, Physicians and Patients’ perception and attitudes about the nurse prescribing in the ICUs/CCUs of Tabriz Training Hospitals, 2020

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Prescribing is one of the roles that nurses have acquired during the last two decades and its scope of responsibility is increasing day to day. However, nursing prescribing is still a new term in many countries. The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of nurses, physicians and patients in the ICUs/CCUs of tabriz training hospitals regarding the nurse prescribing. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study that carried oud with the participation of 280 nurses, physicians and patients (152, 53, and 75 patients, respectively) who were selected by cluster random sampling from critical care units (ICU and CCU) of Al-Zahra, Imam Reza, Sina, Shohada, Shahid Madani and Razi hospitals of Tabriz. Demographic characteristics questionnaire and nurses' prescribing questionnaire (including two parts of perception and attitude towards nurse prescribing) were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22 and descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test, ANOVA).Results: The mean total scores of nurses, patients and physicians’ perceptions of prescribing were 15.41 ± 1.85, 16.45 ±2.31, 14.74 ±1.7, respectively(from a range of 12 -24), and the mean score of the total attitude of nurses, physicians and patients towards nurse prescribing were 40.62 ±3.68, 37.98 ±5.92, 39.38 ±4.39, respectively (from a range of 10 -50). In addition, the results showed that the mean total score of perception of nurse prescribing in physicians was higher than nurses (P = 0.002) and patients (P = 0.000). Also, the mean score of total attitude towards nurse prescribing among nurses was higher than physicians (P = 0.000) and patients (P >0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that nurses, physicians and participating patients had a relatively good understanding and attitude towards the nurse prescribing. Although the perception and attitude towards this role of the nurse was somewhat different among them, but in general, all of them had a good understanding and a positive attitude towards nursing prescribing. This can be used in the future plans to provide nurses with the right to prescribe.