A Comparative Study on the Difference between Patients' Privacy Awareness and Nurses' Perceptions of their Awareness Concerning the Initial Information

Abstract

A comparative study of privacy was done to analyze the difference between the patients' privacy awareness and nurses' perceptions of their awareness concerning the information. The items included in the questionnaire were: 1) items related to patients' feelings when asked to provide personal information. 2) items related to patients' opinions concerning the sharing of information among nurses. 3) those related to patients' understanding as to the necessity of information for treatment or care. 4) those related to patients' requests for explanations by nurses why such information should be necessary. The findings included: c Both patients and nurses had negative feelings concerning the provision of such information and information sharing as related to "educational background", "job", "family member", or "religion". (2) Neither patients nor nurses had definite opinions about the information sharing among nurses. (3) Significant correlations were observed between the recognized necessity for treatment or care and such factors as patients' feelings when asked to provide information or opinions related to information sharing among nurses. (4) Significant differences were found between patients' awareness of privacy and nurses' perceptions of their awareness. Basis on the findings, it was suggested that nurses should deepen their perceptions of privacy issues, and explain reasons for the necessity of specific information to obtain patients' agreement to the information taking.