Volume 29, Issue 3-4 pp. 347-369
REVIEW

Unmet nursing care needs on medical and surgical wards: A scoping review of patients’ perspectives

Annamaria Bagnasco PhD, MEdSc, MSN, RN

Annamaria Bagnasco PhD, MEdSc, MSN, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Nicoletta Dasso RN, MSN

Nicoletta Dasso RN, MSN

PhD Student

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Silvia Rossi MSN, RN

Silvia Rossi MSN, RN

PhD Student

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Carolina Galanti MSN, RN

Carolina Galanti MSN, RN

PhD Student

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Gloria Varone MSN, RN

Gloria Varone MSN, RN

Staff Nurse

Department of Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy

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Gianluca Catania PhD, MSN, RN

Gianluca Catania PhD, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor, Researcher

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Milko Zanini PhD, MSN, MSoc, RN

Milko Zanini PhD, MSN, MSoc, RN

Assistant Professor, Researcher

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Giuseppe Aleo PhD, MA

Corresponding Author

Giuseppe Aleo PhD, MA

Research Fellow Lecturer of Scientfic English

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Correspondence

Giuseppe Aleo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore, 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy.

Email: [email protected]

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Roger Watson PhD, RN, FRCP, FAAN

Roger Watson PhD, RN, FRCP, FAAN

Professor of Nursing

Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull, Hull, UK

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Mark Hayter PhD, RN, MMed. Sci., BA (Hons) Cert. Ed, FAAN

Mark Hayter PhD, RN, MMed. Sci., BA (Hons) Cert. Ed, FAAN

Associate Dean of Research

Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull, Hull, UK

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Loredana Sasso MEdSc, MSN, RN, FAAN

Loredana Sasso MEdSc, MSN, RN, FAAN

Professor of Nursing

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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First published: 12 November 2019
Citations: 45

Abstract

Aims and objectives

To review and synthesise research studies on surgical and medical inpatients’ perceptions on unmet nursing care needs.

Background

Missed nursing care is a growing phenomenon that has been shown to adversely affect care outcomes—mainly in adult medical and surgical care settings. However, to date the aggregated and synthesised evidence of missed care comes from research that measures perceptions on missed care in surgical and medical settings from nurses, but not from the patients.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

In September 2018, three databases were searched: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL and SCOPUS and papers were selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria were as follows: primary studies; published in peer-reviewed journals; in English or Italian; and regarding routine care provided to adult inpatients. Quality appraisal and a thematic analysis were conducted.

Results

Of the 1541 abstracts initially identified, 44 papers were included. Five themes emerged: “communication,” “self-management, autonomy and education,” “personal sphere,” “essential physical care” and “emotional and psychological care.” The majority of the unmet needs were related to the “personal sphere” and “emotional and psychological care.” These unmet needs were not identified in previous literature on nurses’ perspectives of missed care. Also, physical care deficits like oral hygiene were identified.

Conclusion

It is important to take into account patients’ perspectives. The themes focusing on patients’ personal sphere, and emotional and psychological care, underline how patients need nurses to pay more attention to their cultural background, consider the person as a whole and for nursing care to be holistic and respectful of patients’ dignity.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This study intends to raise awareness amongst nurses and policymakers about the importance of addressing missed nursing care and unmet patients’ needs in adult medical or surgical inpatient settings to ensure high-quality care and patient satisfaction.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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