The nursing gaze: power relations in a study of nurse-resident interactions in learning disability

Authors: LAU, V. M. H.¹; CALLAGHAN, P.; TWINN, S. F.²; GOODFELLOW, B.³

Source: Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, Volume 14, Number 4, June 2007 , pp. 346-355(10)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

LAU V. M. H., CALLAGHAN P., TWINN S. F. & GOODFELLOW B. (2007) Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing14, 346-355

The nursing gaze: power relations in a study of nurse-resident interactions in learning disability

The researchers observed nurse-resident interactions in learning disability units in Hong Kong and interviewed a purposeful sample of nurses who had varying levels of interaction. The median interaction rate between nurses and residents was 27.5% with most interactions relating to physical care. When not interacting with residents, nurses performed administrative tasks. Factors that influenced nurses' interactions revolve around their orientation to a new clinical setting, stresses in the care setting and nurses' coping strategies, contextual constraints, and nurses' prioritization of care. Support for Goffman's self-mortification principle, Foucault's notion of the clinical gaze and infantilism theory were evident in the practice of the nurses studied.

Keywords: care; delivery; impact; learning disability; organization

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2007.01088.x

Affiliations: 1: Senior Nurse, Kwai Chung Hospital, 2: Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 3: Senior Lecturer, Department of Health Sciences, University of East London, London, UK

Publication date: 2007-06-01