What factors do senior community nurses (Grade 7) consider in the provision of effective pressure ulcer preventative care in older aged patients?

Abstract

This research identifies the views of senior community nurses (Grade 7, often known as District Nurse Team Leaders) in relation to the different service descriptions of pressure ulcer preventative care for older people. The discrete choice experiment (DCE) approach was employed. Scenarios were developed based on: ease of treatment management, impact of treatment on patient lifestyle, affordability of treatment, strength of current evidence and speed for obtaining the equipment. These scenarios were identified from focus discussions and incorporated into a self-administered questionnaire. This questionnaire was posted to 124 nurses in Wales, UK and regression analysis was applied to 85 consistent responses. The results demonstrate that the most preferred treatments are affordable, evidence-based and manageable, and use readily obtainable equipment. The impact of treatment was not significant for this experiment. The usefulness of the DCE approach in the nursing context is discussed in relation to this study.