Evolving Views: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Exploration of Nursing Students’ Concepts of Health and Illness.

Delves-Yates, Catherine (2023) Evolving Views: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Exploration of Nursing Students’ Concepts of Health and Illness. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background: Health and illness are fundamental concepts and core elements of pre-registration nursing curricula. There is limited empirical research exploring the views and perceptions of health and illness held by nursing students, how these may evolve and how they could influence the implementation of person-centred care.

Aim: To explore evolving views and perceptions of health and illness of students undertaking a full-time pre-registration BSc nursing programme in the United Kingdom.

Methodology and Methods: A concept analysis of health and illness and an empirical study, adopting a qualitative longitudinal and Constructivist Grounded Theory methodological approach. Sampling was initially purposive, progressing to theoretical. The sample comprised 21 students undertaking a full-time undergraduate (BSc) pre-registration nursing programme at either of two English universities (one urban, one semi-rural), between September 2016 - August 2021. The sample included students in all three years of study and represented all four fields of nursing. Qualitative data were collected through nine in-person focus groups and eight individual online interviews. Data were analysed inductively, developing initial and then focused coding, using the constant comparative method.

Findings: Four data categories emerged – ‘Evolving Views’, ‘Developing a Nursing Lexicon’, ‘Influencing Care’ and ‘Caring for Self’. Conceptual interpretation of the data identified that reflective processes were fundamental, as the evolution of views of health and illness were characterised by the development of meaning from experience.

Conclusion: The emergent grounded theory, The Theory of Balance in Perception of Health and Illness and Care Delivery (Theory of Balance), recognises a relationship between nursing students’ understanding of views of health and illness and person-centred care and provides an original contribution to nurse education.

Recommendations: Students’ views of health and illness should be a focus for regular guided reflection and discussion, occurring both during and after periods of placement learning and co-facilitated by clinical and academic staff.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	27 Aug 2024 12:35
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2024 12:35
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/96347
DOI:

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