Abstract
The main purpose of the study was to investigate paticnt-nurse-doctor role views in an attempt to 1) devise a method for rating patient satisfaction with nursing care as a tool for measuring the quality of nursing, and 2) identify differences in attitudes about the role of the nurse which might help to explain conflicts within the hospital organisation. Five hospitals of different size and training schemes were visited, and a total of 400 people completed the survey (326 by interview, and 74 by self-completion of the questionnaire). The convenience sample included 201 male and female patients, 105 student and graduate nurses, and 94 doctors, on medical and surgical wards, Questions were asked about what was expected of the nurse and the ward sister, about illness and the sick role, communications and interpersonal relations, the education and training of nurses, the shortage of nurses, the nursing structure, and the activities included in the nursing role. Analysis of data consisted in its summarisation by per cent, chi-square, Spearman's rank correlation, and reliability analysis. Two-thirds of the patients were highly satisfied with nursing care. No relationship was found between the ranking of nursing activities by nurses and. patients, and satisfaction with care. The technical aspects of the work were emphasised by patients, nurses and doctors when ranking nursing activities. A large number of nurses expressed negative feelings about visitors, hospital administration, and doctors. It was important to the doctor to have nurses accompany them on ward rounds# It was concluded that patients should have the opportunity of expressing their opinions about nursing care. More effective methods could be used to combat the nursing shortage. Well planned ward rounds might improve the nurse- patient-doctor relationship. A way should be found to enable the ward sister to advance in position while remaining in clinical nursing.