Abbas Sidra, Zakar Rubeena, Fischer Florian
1Department of Gender Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
2Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
BMC Nurs. 2020 Apr 10;19:20. doi: 10.1186/s12912-020-00417-x. eCollection 2020.
In a patriarchal social system, a women-dominated profession like nursing is mostly seen as a disempowered group due to its stereotypical image and negative connotations. The low social prestige of this profession is based on the roles typically assigned to men and women to maintain gender identity according to their performance and embodiment. The aim of this study was to explore the social and cultural challenges faced by nurses while creating their professional image within the regional context of Lahore (Punjab) in Pakistan.
A qualitative research design was chosen to conduct one-to-one, in-depth interviews with twelve nurses. Recruitment was based on purposive sampling from three large public hospitals in Lahore to learn about nurses' perceptions of social and cultural challenges in the nursing profession. A thematic analysis was conducted using the data analysis software package NVivo 12 Plus.
Cultural values give preference for female nurses. We have identified four major themes related to the social and cultural challenges facing the nursing profession: 1) gender-segregated profession, 2) inappropriate portrayals by the media, 3) issues around marriage settlement, and 4) identity from a religious perspective. These conflicts are affecting the professional status and changing perceptions of nurses, who either do not choose to remain in the nursing profession or do not recommend nursing as a career option. These ongoing constraints are still perpetuating and increasing shortage of nurses within the Pakistani healthcare system.
The present study solely highlights nurses' perspectives on redefining gender roles and gender integration within the nursing profession. It argues that there is a need for positive portrayals in the media for the removal of public misperceptions related to nursing. This would reduce the shortage of nurses along with increasing retention and improving the quality of healthcare delivered to the public.
在父权制社会体系中，像护理这样以女性为主导的职业，由于其刻板印象和负面内涵，大多被视为弱势群体。该职业社会声望较低，是基于根据男性和女性的表现及体现来维持性别认同而通常赋予他们的角色。本研究的目的是探讨在巴基斯坦拉合尔（旁遮普省）地区背景下，护士在塑造其职业形象时所面临的社会和文化挑战。
选择定性研究设计，对12名护士进行一对一的深入访谈。通过从拉合尔的三家大型公立医院进行目的抽样来招募人员，以了解护士对护理职业中社会和文化挑战的看法。使用数据分析软件包NVivo 12 Plus进行主题分析。
文化价值观更青睐女性护士。我们确定了与护理职业面临的社会和文化挑战相关的四个主要主题：1）性别隔离的职业，2）媒体的不当描绘，3）婚姻安置问题，4）宗教视角下的身份认同。这些冲突正在影响护士的职业地位，并改变人们对护士的看法，导致一些护士要么不选择继续从事护理职业，要么不推荐护理作为职业选择。这些持续存在的限制仍在使巴基斯坦医疗系统内护士短缺的情况长期存在并加剧。
本研究仅突出了护士对重新定义护理职业中的性别角色和性别融合的看法。研究认为，媒体需要进行正面描绘，以消除公众对护理的误解。这将减少护士短缺的情况，同时提高留职率并改善向公众提供的医疗服务质量。
