Iranian nurses' perceptions of patient advocacy

Abstract

Background and Purpose: One of the most important elements of nursing ethics is patient advocacy, which instills patients’sense of independence and autonomy. Nurses’ perceptions of this concept can significantly influence their advocacy role.Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess nurses’ perceptions about this phenomenon.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 385 nurses were selected via quota sampling from three hospitals, affiliated to GolestanUniversity of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2012. Data were collected, using a self-administered questionnaire for assessing nurses’perceptions of patient advocacy (with a score range of -1 to 1). The obtained data were analyzed, using descriptive andinferential statistical tests.Results: As the results indicated, nurses’ perceptions about patient advocacy were relatively positive (0.73%). Moreover, therewas a statistically significant relationship between patient advocacy and nurses’ educational level (P=0.01), working in differenthospital wards (P