Kaleidoscope: a 5-year action research project to develop nursing confidence in caring for patients with HIV disease...

As the national epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic rapidly unfolds in India, nurses have to acquire new competencies in order to provide appropriate care to an increasing number of affected persons. In response, an Indo-British action research collaboration was initiated to build clinical confidence and facilitate relevant changes in nursing practice. During a 10-day educational programme, a change intervention was applied, culminating in the development of individual and partnership action plans focused on bringing about changes in nursing practice within well-defined fields of action. Following implementation of their action plans, participants were reassembled 12 months later for a follow-up workshop to discuss their progress and describe those factors that either helped or hindered them in achieving their objectives. They then developed new action plans for the next 12-month period. This article reports on the results from six cohorts (n = 160) in India who participated in this project between 1995 and 1999. Action plans were frequently focused on infection control, primary prevention, curriculum development in preregistration nursing programmes and in-service nursing education. The majority of participants reported significant achievements in realizing their action-plan objectives. Data analysis revealed that the change intervention itself, together with multidisciplinary support from colleagues, the senior status of the participant, and anticipating and attending the follow-up workshop, were all positively correlated with achievement. The lack of personal authority and resistance from managers were the two major factors negatively correlated with achievement. This method for facilitating changes in nursing practice has been successfully adapted and replicated by our group in other countries.