[Use of physical assessment skills and education needs of advanced practice nurses and nurse specialists].
OBJECTIVE
The study was done to investigate physical assessment skills used by, and educational needs of, advanced practice nurses (APNs) and nurse specialists in Korea.


METHODS
A total of 123 APNs and nurse specialists working in five major hospitals in Seoul were surveyed from July 15 to August 20, 2007.


RESULTS
Fourteen skills out of 126 items were reported as being performed on a regular basis by participants. The majority of these skills involved general observation. Forty-six skills were rarely used. Some participants showed a lack of confidence in certain assessment skills, such as in doing a rectal or pelvic exam, and the use of some assessment equipment. Over 90% of participants required in-depth education on health assessment provided by specialists or nursing professional organizations.


CONCLUSIONS
More educational opportunities in physical assessment should be provided including education programs based on the nurses' skill levels and needs. This effort will help to increase confidence of APNs and nurse specialists in physical assessment skills, ultimately resulting in better nursing outcomes.
Shin
Hyunsook
H
College of Nursing Science, East-West Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Bog-Ja
BJ
Kang
Hee Sun
HS
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009726:Nurses / Q000592:standards*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires