Operating theatre nurses' perceptions of competence: a focus group study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Competence

Background:

• Competency Standards are used in operating theatre practice globally.
• There is a lack of consensus on the definition of operating theatre competence.
• This study addresses the need for a clearer understanding of operating theatre nurse competence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' perceptions of competence in the operating theatre.
• To identify key components of operating theatre nursing competence.
• To inform the development of operating theatre Competency Standards.

Main Methods:

• Three focus groups were conducted with 27 operating theatre nurses.
• Data were collected from nurses in three major metropolitan hospitals in Queensland, Australia.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview and field note data.

Main Results:

• Nurses identified three key themes of competence: knowledge integration, communication skills, and managing the surgical list.
• Knowledge includes theoretical, practical, situational, and aesthetic aspects within a technical environment.
• Effective teamwork and communication are vital for managing diverse personalities and situations.

Conclusions:

• Competence in operating theatre nursing encompasses knowledge, teamwork, communication, and management skills.
• These identified components should be integrated into operating theatre Competency Standards.
• The findings may aid in creating tools to measure nurses' perceived competence.