Nurses' attitudes and knowledge regarding patient rights: a systematic review

Atitudes e conhecimentos dos enfermeiros em relação aos direitos do paciente: uma revisão sistemática

Actitudes y conocimientos de las enfermeras sobre los derechos de los pacientes: una revisión sistemática

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To synthesize current evidence on nurses' attitudes and/or knowledge on the entire spectrum of patient rights.

Method:

A systematic search of the literature was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL. Studies were selected according to pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. The Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, including templates for systematic reviews, were applied. For rigor assessment, the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Qualitative Research Checklist, and the Center for Evidence-Based Management tool were employed.

Results:

Thirteen studies were included, that exhibited important methodological limitations, such as convenience sampling, mediocre response rates and inadequate instrument validity. Findings indicated: a) low level of awareness regarding patient rights among nurses, b) knowledge discrepancies on specific aspects of patient rights, c) low priority ascribed to a patient's right to access information, and d) insufficient evidence on formal educational sources of knowledge on the topic of patient rights.

Conclusion:

Narrow geographical localization, heterogeneity and methodological limitations render generalizability of the conclusions difficult. Further research based on robust methodology is proposed.

Patient Rights; Ethics, Nursing; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Professional Practice; Systematic Review