2010 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 1_27-1_39
This study aimed at developing a study program and study material for nurses that would encourage them to adopt Zhou's (2003) "Nursing Support Theory to Encourage Post-stroke Survivors' Self-development", and to implement and evaluate the program within the Japanese healthcare's organizational culture.
[Purposes] The purposes of the study were: 1) to implement Zhou's theory in the nurses' study program, 2) to analyze the nurses' awareness during the program, and to verify the program from in term of the effectiveness of theoretical learning.
[Method] The workbook, a study material, and the study program were developed that consisted of one shared learning session and three small sessions. The program was implemented at two hospital sites with acute rehabilitation units. A total of 36 nurses participated in the program. Properties of participants' awareness from 104 scenes were extracted, and their learning effects were analyzed based on the Zhou's theory.
[Findings and Discussion] The following changes in participants were identified: diversification in understanding survivors, diversification of nursing intevention, and changes in nursing practice behaviors. It was suggested that Zhou's theory contributed to the establishment of the nurse participants' professional identities. Furthermore, it was revealed that the terms in Zhou's theory and a thinking process were established among the nurse participants, which led to smooth information exchange and documentation. The workbook and the study program were developed to clarify the meaning of nursing practice through the application of Zhou's theory. Therefore, the participants were able to put their practice in meaningful context. In future, the nursing management system will require continuously revision in order to keep up with the progress in nurses' abilities in the process of theoretical learning.
