The recognition and non-recognition of problem-solving stages in nursing practice

A requirement for high-quality individualized nursing care is that nurses must recognize and attempt to solve patients' health problems. In this study, it was decided to investigate problem solving using a model similar to the nursing process derived from the general literature. Insight into nurses' perceptions and understanding of problem solving was gained by interviewing 116 nurses using vignettes of clinical problem solving. Data analysis revealed that many informants failed to discuss some problem-solving stages, in particular planning and evaluation. Conversely, problem assessment and implementation attracted more comment. The implications for these variations in nurses' problem-solving behaviour are examined in relation to contemporary nursing issues.