Patients' perspectives on the educational preparation of cardiac nurses.
BACKGROUND
Over the last two decades the UK health service has endeavoured to place patient and public involvement at the heart of its modernisation agenda. Despite these aspirations the role of patients in the development of nursing curricula remains limited.


OBJECTIVE
A descriptive qualitative design was used to explore the views of cardiac patients about the educational preparation of cardiac nurses.


METHODS
Eight participants attending an annual conference of a patient and carer support group were recruited to the study. A focus group was conducted to explore their views on how the educational preparation of cardiac nurses in the UK should develop. Tape-recorded data were transcribed and a thematic analysis was undertaken.


RESULTS
Four themes were identified: contradictions around practice and education; demonstrating compassion; delivering rehabilitation expertise; leadership in practice. Participants perceived that they had a valuable role in the educational development of nurses, enhancing nurses' understanding of how individuals live and adjust to living with cardiovascular disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac patients believe that the education of cardiac nurses should be driven by experiences in practice, nevertheless they want nurses to be equipped to deliver care that is underpinned by a strong knowledge base and skills combined with an ability to engage, educate and deliver high quality care that is both compassionate and individualised.
Centre for Health and Clinical Research, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, UK John.Albarran@uwe.ac.uk.
John W
JW
Albarran
School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Salford, UK.
Ian
I
Jones
Centre for Health and Clinical Research, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, UK.
Lesley
L
Lockyer
Centre for Health and Clinical Research, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, UK.
Sarah
S
Manns
Centre for Health and Clinical Research, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, UK.
Helen
H
Cox
Cardiovascular Research Centre, Australian Catholic University, Australia.
David R
DR
Thompson
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064646:Cardiovascular Nursing / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004522:Educational Status; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D010358:Patient Participation; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom
Cardiac nurses; nursing curriculum; patient experience; patient involvement