Systematic review of the nature of nursing care described by using the Caring Behaviours Inventory

Abstract

Aim: To describe the nature of care received by patients measured through the Caring Behaviours Inventory.

Background: Professional nursing practice combines two dimensions of caring: instrumental care and expressive care. Instrumental care focuses on physical health needs, in terms of efficiency and employs interventions based on evidence. Expressive care is patient-centred and based on the interpersonal relationship. It requires caring attitudes that include respect, kindness, sensitivity and patience. The Caring Behaviours Inventory is a tool designed to assess the care expressed through the behaviours nurses perform, contextualised within the Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring.

Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA recommendations. Scopus, PubMed and CINAHL databases were consulted using the keywords "Caring Behaviours Inventory" AND "Nursing". The Joanna Briggs Institute tool was used for the quality appraisal. A conceptual analysis and a thematic synthesis were performed for data extraction.

Results: 11 articles were selected. Three categories were identified: nature of caring, congruence between perceived care by patients and nurses, and factors associated with the expression of care.

Discussion: An emphasis on care of an instrumental nature was identified. The perception of patients differs from that of nurses, patients perceive a lower level of expressive caring than the one nurses believe to deliver. Caring behaviours are affected by the working environment, nurses' emotional intelligence and coping skills, and socio-demographic characteristics.

Conclusion: This paper described the findings of previous research regarding the nature of care that is transmitted and received in clinical practice. Results highlight an emphasis on the instrumental aspect of the nursing care according to the patients' perception.

Relevance to clinical practice: Findings summarised in this review could contribute to a better understanding of the nursing care. Results reported in this paper could also help to improve the quality of care delivered by nurses as well as patient-centeredness.

Keywords: Caring Behaviours Inventory; nurse-patient relations; nursing care; systematic review.