The experience of facilitation in reflective groups: a phenomenological study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Qualitative Research
• Professional Practice

Background:

• Facilitation in nursing has seen increased use over the past decade.
• Limited research exists on the process and meaning of facilitation in nursing practice.
• Evaluating facilitation requires a clear understanding of its practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and clarify the meaning of facilitation within nursing practice.
• To understand the lived experiences of practitioners using facilitation.
• To identify implications for nurse education based on the study's findings.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory study employing a phenomenological approach.
• Open interviews were conducted with three nurse educators facilitating reflective groups.
• Data analysis utilized Collaizi's method for phenomenological data analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified the core meaning of facilitation from the practitioners' lived experiences.
• Provided a deeper understanding of how facilitation is implemented in nurse education.
• Highlighted the practical nuances of facilitation in reflective nursing groups.

Conclusions:

• The study clarifies the meaning of facilitation in nursing practice through lived experiences.
• Findings offer valuable insights for enhancing facilitation strategies in nurse education.
• Further research into facilitation processes can improve nursing professional development.