Perceptions and experiences of a multicultural peri operative nursing team in a middle Eastern hospital

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The researcher has identified in her place of work that the multicultural views andwork experience of the staff negatively impacts on optimal team coherence andpatient care. Given the pivotal role that teamwork plays in an OR, it is required of theperi-operative (PO) nurses working in a Middle Eastern hospital, to develop a highcultural sensitivity and awareness of each other's values. The goal of the studythrough the hermeneutic inquiry was to identify the PO participants' meanings of theirperceptions and experiences within a multicultural workforce in the OR environment.A phenomenological interpretative research design was used to illuminate thephenomenon of team coherence and to answer the question, 'What are theperceptions and experiences of a multicultural PO nursing team in a Middle Easternhospital. A purposive sample of n=13 was drawn from a population of 107 POnurses. A semi-structured interview guide was designed and validated before datacollection. Ethical approval and permission to conduct the research was obtainedfrom the Ethics Committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University ofStellenbosch and the Institutional Review Board of the Hospital.The data that emerged from the data analysis was coded and categorized intothemes and constitute patterns. The four patterns were multiculturalism within POnurse teams contributes to complex group dynamics; the pervasive influence of themedical model and power struggle on group cohesion; dominance renders the POnurses powerless; and empowerment is the panacea to improving teamcommunication. The researcher compiled a written account of the interpretations thatemerged from the data analysis and verified it with an external research reviewer. In,addition, member checking was done on two (2) of the participants from theindividual interviews to validate the transcribed data.The Conceptual Theoretical Framework of Habermas on Critical Social Theory andFreire's model of Oppressed Group Behavior supports the findings of the study. Thefindings suggest that cultural values clarification should change the behavior of thePO nurses and team building activities should enhance group cohesion. Policies ondisruptive behavior will create an awareness to illuminate fear and reiterate selfworth.However, empowerment through education, reflection in action and activecommunication was to liberate powerless PO nurses in a multicultural environment.The pervasive influence of the medical model can be overcome with strongleadership. Furthermore, culturally sensitive leadership might be essential to sustaina supportive and growth producing culture. Further research is recommended.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University