An ethnography: Understanding emergency nursing practice belief systems

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Management
• Cultural Studies

Background:

• Understanding the influence of beliefs on Australian Emergency Department (ED) triage nursing.
• Investigating how cultural notions shape these beliefs and nursing practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the beliefs underpinning Australian ED triage nursing.
• To examine the cultural drivers of these beliefs and their impact on practice.

Main Methods:

• Ethnographic methodological framework.
• Non-participant observation of 10 Triage Nurses across four EDs (200 hours).

Main Results:

• Identified seven core beliefs guiding triage nursing behavior (e.g., respecting privacy, taking control, managing patient expectations).
• Observed culturally oriented practices, sometimes conflicting with patient expectations.
• Highlighted an ED culture emphasizing timeliness, appropriateness, and efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Explicitly identifying beliefs can enhance clinician sensitivity and cultural competence.
• Understanding these beliefs is crucial for meeting the increasing demand for emergency care.
• Recognizing the cultural underpinnings of ED triage nursing is essential.