Implementing gender-sensitive personalized nursing care into practice - a qualitative study with nurses from the cardiology units

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based gender-sensitive personalized nursing care (GSNC+) is considered in nursing expert standards and is the foundation for high-quality nursing care in Germany. However, the translation of GSNC+ into practice is still unknown. This qualitative study aims to identify implementation measures, facilitators, and barriers of GSNC + and to generate a nurse-focused definition of GSNC+. The overarching objective is to establish GSNC + as a foundational step toward personalized nursing care, focusing quality management on patient satisfaction. METHODS: Nine semi-structured focus group interviews and accompanying poster brainstorming were conducted with nurses from hospitals of the cardiology section (n = 46 nurses; 39 females, 7 males) in Germany. Audiotaped data were fully transcribed verbatim. Besides, posters were document analyzed. Two independent coders conducted the content analysis with MAXQDA using theory-based deductive themes and generated inductive subthemes. RESULTS: The data were clustered into five major themes and 19 subthemes organized by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Based on the results a nurse-focused definition of GSNC + was developed, and facilitators, barriers, and implementation measures were identified. From nurses’ perspective, the following aspects are needed to implement GSNC + in hospitals: Further education, adequate working and organizational structure, less time pressure in daily patient care, supporting management, media/marketing, and awareness and positive attitude from stakeholders (politicians, population/caregivers, health insurance and professional associations). CONCLUSION: Evidence-based content has been less included in the in-house standard operating procedures in practice and nurses implement GSNC+ mostly intuitive in patient care - quality aspects of patient care are neglected in the process. Disseminating such expert standards is not sufficient to bring about change in practice. A systematic strategy with adequate measures for quality management is needed to enhance evidence-based and high-quality GSNC+, as well as patients´ needs.