Implementing a philosophy of care on a children's ward using action research

This paper charts the progress of an action research project initially implemented to assist the staff of a pediatric ward in the development of primary nursing. The use of ward meetings to identify needs and clarify objectives is discussed; from this emerged a broader remit to implement the ward's philosophy of care. Five areas of clinical practice development were identified for work: development of a staff development strategy, identification of resource people, movement to primary nursing, development of standards of care, and development of the ward environment. Progress in these five areas is explored, and the use of evaluation strategies such as visual analogue scales, unstructured interviews and personal diaries are discussed. Description and discussion of some of the difficulties associated with this project are given. In conclusion, the authors address the issue of whether action research is in fact a specific methodology or a philosophy.