Nurses’ Attitudes Toward Physical Examination

Nazan Çaylı, Samsun Medicana Health Group, Samsun 55080, TürkiyeFollow
Cansu Nirgiz, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fenerbahçe University, Istanbul 34758, TürkiyeFollow
Merve Kıymaç Sarı, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fenerbahçe University, Istanbul 34758, TürkiyeFollow

ORCID ID

Nazan Çaylı: 0000-0002-9116-6713

Cansu Nirgiz: 0000-0001-9595-2853

Merve Kıymaç Sarı: 0000-0002-3845-3385

Abstract

Background: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the attitudes of nurses working in clinical settings toward conducting physical examinations.

Methods: The sample surveyed consisted of 364 nurses currently working at 14 branches of a private hospital with facilities in seven cities, who participated voluntarily. Data was collected online via a survey created through Google Forms, applying descriptive characteristics form and the Physical Examination Attitude and Practice Scale in Nursing. The data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis.

Results: It was found that nurses had moderately positive attitudes toward conducting physical examinations in clinical settings, while their participation rates in in-service training related to physical examinations were low. A moderate but significant positive correlation was observed in the scores of the sub-dimension “barriers to performing physical examination,” and a very weak but significant negative correlation was found in the “benefits and usefulness of physical examination.”

Conclusion: Practical training aimed at improving nurses’ knowledge and skills related to physical examination and their cultural sensitivity should be emphasized at the undergraduate level, as well as through in-service training programs.

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