Variabilities and contentions in anesthesiologists' perspectives on Japanese perianesthesia nurses: A qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Health Services Research
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Japan faces an anesthesiologist shortage, necessitating task shifting to nurses.
• Anesthesiologists' perceptions of perianesthesia nurses (PANs) and the PAN system are crucial for effective collaboration.
• Understanding these perspectives is vital for addressing societal challenges in anesthesia service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Japanese anesthesiologists' perspectives on perianesthesia nurses (PANs) and the PAN system.
• To identify factors influencing the collaboration and potential task shifting in anesthesia care.
• To understand the diversity of opinions regarding the roles and capabilities of PANs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 24 anesthesiologists.
• Framework method analysis of interview transcripts using MAXQDA software.
• Construction of a case-code matrix to ensure reliability and depth of findings.

Main Results:

• Five themes and fifteen categories emerged regarding PANs and the PAN system.
• Anesthesiologists viewed PANs as colleagues but showed significant variation in role expectations across institutions and individuals.
• Conflicting opinions were identified regarding PANs managing anesthesia and substituting for anesthesiologists, indicating potential barriers to task shifting.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to document diverse anesthesiologist perspectives on PANs and the PAN system in Japan.
• Significant institutional and individual differences in viewpoints were observed.
• Findings reveal crucial insights and potential barriers to the task shifting of anesthesia duties to PANs.