Self-evaluation and peer review--an example of action research in promoting self-determination of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper was to describe the areas that have been performed well and the areas in need of further development of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

BACKGROUND

Nurses' self-evaluation and peer review are important methods for ascertaining the changes and success in the development of nursing practice. To date, there has been minimal research regarding the use of those evaluation methods in nursing practice.

DESIGN

The findings of self-evaluation and peer review of nurses are described in a participatory action research study aimed at promotion of self-determination for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

In self-evaluation, the collection of data was accomplished using a self-evaluation instrument with the permanent nursing staff (n = 18), then analysed through quantitative methods. For peer review, the data were gathered through focus groups (n = 21) using a tool similar to the one used for self-evaluation. The participants included many of the same nurses as in self-evaluation. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Well-performed areas in nursing of rheumatoid arthritis patients were found to be promoting patient participation, supporting self-determination, performing patient-centred nursing and raising patient self-respect. The areas in need of development were connected to the nursing staff themselves: increasing collaboration of nursing staff, decreasing authoritarianism in nursing care and developing nursing practice with colleagues.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-evaluation and peer review are complementary and support one another, especially since nurses were found to be more critical in their self-evaluations than in peer review.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Both evaluation tools proved to be useful methods in the evaluation phase of the action research process as a means of professional development. Also assisting in the development of clinical nursing practice.