Barriers in performing physical assessment among nursing students: An integrative review

This study aimed to identify barriers in performing physical assessments among nursing students through integrative review study.

The literature were searched in Medline, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Taylor & Francis Online using the descriptors barrier, physical assessment, nursing student et al. Only English-language and peer-reviewed journal articles were included, and there were no year restrictions.

Twelve articles were selected for review. Two aspects were extracted: the barriers included personal challenges, challenges related to nursing education, challenges related to clinical practice; establishing competency-based education learning as a method to reduce physical assessment barriers. Student competencies and experiences were influenced by various factors that collectively hindered their successful performance of physical assessments.

The review findings provide valuable insights into the complex issues involved in the performance of physical assessments and guidance for improvement in practice. A collaborative effort should be made to address the issues often faced by nursing students in performing routine physical assessments. Also, more constructive and competency-based teaching methods should be integrated into academic and clinical settings.