Observation intervention: time for an overview

This paper aims to illustrate the nature and extent of research and development work related to observation practice over the last 28 years. It aims to show both local Scottish work and the National picture, how there is still a lack of research evidence despite all the work that has taken place and what needs to be performed to explore observation practice for the future. It is not intended to be a literature review in the traditional sense. Observation has not been studied enough to know the continuing ever-changing picture of what goes on in the reality of practice. There are now studies examining observation but none of these are 'gold standard' randomized controlled trials; some are quantitative and some are qualitative audit or guidelines all based at a lower level in research evidence terms. The time has come to take the evidence base to the next level through evaluative research.