Nurses' Attitudes Towards Physical Examination and Influencing Factors: A Descriptive and Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of Turkish nurses with regard to performing physical examination, their current attitudes towards physical examination, and the factors affecting them. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 488 nurses working in a state and an university hospital in the Afyonkarahisar province of Turkey. The data were collected with the Nurse Information Form and the Turkish version of the Physical Examination Attitude and Practice Scale. Independent samples t-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the data. Results: Nurses' attitude score towards physical examination was found to be 45.89 (SD = 10.32, minimum: 19, maximum: 87). As per the multiple linear regression results, performing physical examination (beta = -0.318, P <.001), having undergraduate degree (beta = -0.179, P <.001), being female (beta= -0.175, P <.001), having postgraduate degree (beta = -0.168, P <.001), being responsible for the daily care of fewer patients (beta = -0.158, P =.005), considering physical examination as part of nursing practices (beta = -0.155, P =.002), and having sufficient knowledge level about physical examination (beta = -0.140, P =.001) were significant factors that were effective in having a more positive attitude towards physical examination. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that nurses have a positive attitude towards physical examination. Experience performing a physical examination was the main predictor of attitude towards physical examination. To enable nurses to use their physical examination skills effectively, it is recommended to improve their knowledge and skill levels and to establish policies at the institutional level.