Perceived barriers and facilitators to nursing process usage: a narrative review.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Systems
• Global Health

Background:

• The nursing process (NP) is a fundamental patient-centered framework for professional nursing.
• Implementation of the NP is suboptimal, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• This review focuses on global NP implementation, with a case analysis of Pakistan and other LMICs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the global implementation of the nursing process.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to NP implementation in LMICs.
• To highlight research gaps, particularly in Pakistan.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of literature from PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar.
• Keywords included "Nurses' Perceptions," "Nursing Process," "Barriers," and "Facilitators."
• Included original research and reviews (2017-2023), prioritizing LMIC evidence; 26 studies synthesized.

Main Results:

• NP implementation varies significantly, with rates over 80% in high-income countries versus 50-60% in LMICs.
• Facilitators include supportive supervision, documentation tools, and continuing education.
• Barriers span systemic, educational, administrative, and individual nurse factors; Pakistan shows knowledge but faces practical barriers.

Conclusions:

• The nursing process is crucial for quality care but underutilized in resource-constrained settings.
• Addressing the NP implementation gap requires investment in administrative support, professional development, and resources.
• Qualitative research in Pakistan is needed to understand nurses' experiences and contextual factors influencing NP practice.