title: A model of clinical judgment processes in psychiatric nursing.
abstract: This study addressed judgment processes in psychiatric nursing by analyzing reported use of clinical cues cited as being relevant in the process of making a nursing judgment. Using an exploratory, qualitative approach, data were collected by interviewing 15 subjects who provided 36 in-depth interviews upon completion of an intake interview. Comparative content analysis was used to determine the underlying structure in subject reports. A model depicting judgment processes is presented and discussed. Results suggest that although judgments were highly context-dependent, all subjects assessed data labeled as universals in the psychiatric nursing assessment: suicidality, depression, drug and alcohol use, and patient functional abilities. Similarities among subjects were noted in that presenting behaviors were most salient, a categorization process occurs within the judgment process, and patients are included in the judgment process. Finally, nursing judgments uncovered an action orientation rather than a labeling function.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Regan-Kubinski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012107:Research Design