The culture of healthcare
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The culture of healthcare and its impact on nursing practice
IRAS ID
163154
Contact name
Nicola Gillin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Anglia Ruskin University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
What constitutes caring cultures within the NHS?
Culture as a factor which influences staff and patient outcomes has recently received much attention, with ‘negative’ cultures said to be a contributor of poor patient care in the Francis and Keogh reports. Research examining culture within the NHS however is limited, especially that which uses alternatives to surveys and explores culture not specifically relating to safety.
Using alternatives to surveys such as observations and interviews, is argued to be the best approach in understanding culture, yet is a method which is infrequently used. The culture specific to the ‘front-line’ of patient care will be sought, as opposed to the ‘top-down’ approach used in exploring management culture within in the NHS.
This research will therefore seek to understand culture from a holistic perspective – i.e. one which examines culture from the perspective of a range of people who interact within it. The sample will therefore comprise of a variety of healthcare professionals, as well as the recipients of care; patients and their relatives. A unique approach on culture will also be taken, by examining ‘outside’ eyes and ‘inside’ eyes. As those who are ingrained in a culture may not be best placed to identify it, ‘inside’ eyes in the form established staff will make up the sample, as well as those who are new to the area i.e. new staff, patients, students etc to gain their perspectives on culture from ‘outside’ eyes. Factors which are observed to contribute to the current culture will be explored initially through observations, and continued through interviews. Data will be collected on x 2 wards at an NHS acute trust hospital, in order to gain an understanding of how culture appears in differing areas.REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/1278
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion