title: European orthopaedic and trauma patients' perceptions of nursing care: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare English, Finnish, Greek and Swedish orthopaedic and trauma patients' perceptions of nursing care received during hospitalisation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Patient perceptions are important when evaluating nursing care delivery. Evaluations usually take place sub-nationally though European citizens may be treated throughout the European Union. International comparative studies are possible because of the universal nature and philosophical roots of quality in nursing care. They are needed to assist in improving care outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, comparative study design was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Schmidt Perception of Nursing Care Survey was used to obtain data from orthopaedic and trauma patients in acute hospitals in four countries: Finland (n = 425, response rate 85%), Greece (n = 315, 86%), Sweden (n = 218, 73%) and UK (n = 135, 85%). Data were first analysed using descriptive statistics, then between-country comparisons were computed inferentially using a one-way analysis of variance and a univariate analysis of covariance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between-country differences were found in patients' perceptions of the nursing care received. Over the whole Schmidt Perception of Nursing Care Survey the Swedish and Finnish patients gave their care the highest assessments and the Greek patients the lowest. The same trend was seen in each of the four sub-scales: Seeing The Individual Patient, Explaining, Responding and Watching. Responding was given the highest assessments in each participating country and Seeing the Individual Patient the lowest except in Greece.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is needed to consider whether the between-country differences found are caused by differences between cultures, nursing practices, roles of healthcare personnel or patients in the different countries. The Schmidt Perception of Nursing Care Survey is suitable for the assessment of European orthopaedic and trauma patients' perceptions of nursing care received during hospitalisation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are useful in evaluating and developing nursing care in hospitals from different European countries.
authors.affiliation: Health Care District of Forssa, Forssa and Adjunct Professor, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. suhonen.riitta@kolumbus.fi
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suhonen
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Idvall
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalafati
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katajisto
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Land
authors.forename: Chryssoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lemonidou
authors.forename: Lee A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Maritta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Välimäki
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leino-Kilpi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult