3.2.3 Reflections on the use of social assessment in a nurse leading social rehabilitation programme for neurological patients and carers (327)

Maria Carmen Portillo Vega, Lecturer Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain Co authors: Sarah Cowley mportillo@unav.es

Abstract:

Background:

The involvement of neurological patients and relatives in decision making and the use of individual assessments are gaining importance to face long term disability and social isolation1,2. However, further understanding of how to integrate social assessment in nursing practice is needed.

Aims:

To describe the development of social assessment, and the main benefits and difficulties of its implementation and integration in clinical nursing practice.

Methods:

Data were obtained in an action research project which took place in two neurological wards of a hospital in Spain (completed in 2004). A social rehabilitation programme was planned, implemented and evaluated with nurses working in the wards (n=37), and two groups of neurological patients and relatives (n1=22/22; n2=18/18), who were selected through convenience sampling. Semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations took place. Content analysis3 (N-Vivo v.2.0) and statistical analysis (SPSS v. 13.0) were conducted.

Results:

Most participants advocated the use of social assessments to determine social problems, and plan education and strategies for socialisation. A social assessment form was designed and focused on family environment and support, disease repercussion, change of roles and leisure activities. Social care and social assessments undertaken in the wards (p < 0.001) significantly increased, and had a positive impact on users’ perceptions of nursing holistic care. However, some limitations such as the lack of skills (60%), time (13%) and privacy (13%) were observed together with a significant increase of the time spent with users (p < 0.001) when the assessment was performed.

Discussion:

Although social assessments were beneficial and highly valued, educational sessions and multidisciplinary support groups are needed to develop the nurses’ role and skills, and solve time restraints in social care.

Conclusions:

This paper will shed light on the use and understanding of the holistic assessment in nursing practice, its limitations and benefits for the quality of care and patients’ wellbeing.

Biography:

I am 30 years old and work as a lecturer in the School of Nursing of the University of Navarre in Spain. I have completed my postgraduate studies at King’s College London (MSc in Nursing Research and PhD). My thesis supervisors were Prof. Jennifer Wilson-Barnett and Prof. Sarah Cowley. Being a Doctor in Nursing in Spain is a very new and important contribution to the development of nursing knowledge and research as we do not still have this degree available in Spain. My areas of interest are Social Rehabilitation, chronic illness and long-term care.