Taiwanese nurses’ experiences of difficulties in providing patient education in hospital settings

Taiwanese nurses face increasingly demanding working conditions along with a distinctive culture where family members participate in medical decisionmaking. This research explores Taiwanese nurses' perceptions of patient education, with a focus on the difficulties. Data were collected by in-depth focus group discussions with nursing staff (n=53) from the medical and surgical wards of two teaching hospitals. Transcripts were analyzed and revealed six themes: source of fulfillment and pressure; excessive workload; alternating between patients; not knowing who to teach; difficulty in communication; and disrupted confidence and work rhythm. Research findings could help managers understand the difficulties faced by nurses in providing health education. Nurses should broaden the scope of patient education activities to include family members. Additionally, nurses should discuss patients' desires and expectations from family members in medical treatment and decisionmaking.