Abstract
room nurses are specialised nurses who work in the peri-operative environment. Due to the global shortage of specialised nurses, the Operating Department Assistant (ODA) was introduced into the peri-operative environment to assist the operating room nurse. These ODAs are not nurses, yet they have similar duties to that of the operating room nurse. This overlapping of duties in the peri-operative environment has led to stress and role ambiguity among the ODAs. Hence, the researcher was keen to investigate this phenomenon by asking the research question; how is it for you to be an operating department assistant in the peri-operative environment? The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of ODAs’ experiences in the perioperative environment, and to formulate recommendations to facilitate the ODAs into the peri-operative environment as burgeoning peri-operative practitioners. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was followed using a phenomenological research method. This study focused on the exploration and description of ODAs’ experiences in the peri-operative environment. Individual unstructured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached, and field notes were used to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of the ODAs. The findings of the research were utilised in describing recommendations to facilitate the integration of the ODAs as burgeoning peri-operative practitioners. Purposive sampling was used to select ODAs who have successfully completed a Diploma in Operating Department Assistance in accordance with the South African Qualitative Authority (2013). Data collected through the individual, in-depth interviews and field notes were analysed using Giorgi’s five-step method to reveal the all-important construct of the phenomenon. From the findings, two themes and categories were revealed. Theme one reflected that ODAs experienced happiness, as they felt pride, joy, an understanding of their duties, and fostered teamwork with their colleagues in the peri-operative environment. Theme two centred on the unhappiness ODAs experienced in terms of role confusion, distrust, emotional suppression, limited professional and exploitation in the peri-operative environment. Lincoln and Guba’s measures of trustworthiness were established using the principles of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Ethical principles, namely respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice were also adhered to throughout the research process. The limitations and strengths of the study were identified, and...
M.Cur. (Ethos and Professional Practice)