Abstract
M.Cur.
The researcher has observed that when arrangements are being made to transfer
patients with tracheostomies from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the ward, the nurse in
the ward will often try to delay the transfer. The researcher also observed that a nurse will
frequently refuse to care for such patients, or that the nurse will try to avoid any activities
around these patients.
The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding in the experiences of registered
nurses regarding the care of patients with tracheostomies in the ward of a specific referral
hospital in Botswana, and to develop recommendations to support registered nurses
caring for patients with tracheostomies in the ward.
A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design, using a descriptive
phenomenological approach, was implemented. The researcher used purposive
sampling to select participants and recorded individual in-depth interviews using an audiorecorder.
The recordings were transcribed verbatim. Field notes were taken during each
individual in-depth interview. A model of trustworthiness developed by Lincoln and Guba
was used to ensure trustworthiness. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout
the research process.
The central theme that emerged from the findings of the study revealed that participants
who have cared for patients with a tracheostomy in the ward experienced caring for
patients with a tracheostomy as empowering although challenging in an enabling
therapeutic milieu. Their caring as their duty were prominent. Two main themes emerged.
Firstly, experiences of caring in an enabling therapeutic milieu experienced by
participants as caring for the whole person, caring for patients as their professional duty
and being empowered in the caring. Secondly, experiences of caring in a disenabling
therapeutic milieu experienced by participants as caring for patients as a clinical
challenge and as being incompetent to care for patients effectively related to inadequate
knowledge and skills. However, experiences of caring in a disenabling therapeutic milieu...