Patients' perceptions of nursing practice. A rationale for a qualitative research approach

The discipline of nursing is, in Sweden, in the early stages of discovering and expanding specific knowledge embedded in nursing practice. This is a challenging as well as a problematic venture. It is important to evaluate nursing practice within the specific cultural context before applying terminology and meaning of concepts used. The purpose of this paper is to present a basis for the study of perceptions of nursing practice as experienced by the patient himself in a specific cultural context. The historical context, the terminology commonly used, and relevant research in this domain of inquiry is critically examined as a means of determining appropriate research methods for further study in the domain of nursing practice.