Correlation between work experiences and physical assessment in Japan

The purpose of this study was to obtain baseline data of Japanese nurses' knowledge, skills and attitudes concerning physical assessment. The design of the study was survey research, using a self-administered questionnaire. Nurses with more experience were more knowledgeable about almost all physical assessment skills. Fourteen of the physical assessment skills were used more often by respondents with more experience in nursing practise. Ten of the physical assessment skills were cited as more difficult to carry out by respondents with less experience in nursing. The group with more clinical practise experience had more knowledge of physical assessment skills, used the skills more frequently and had less difficulty in using them. The results of this study indicated that Japanese nurses learn physical assessment skills 'on the job'.