| Abstract: | Data are reported from a larger study of perceptions of locus of control and value of pressure ulcer prevention to show the position of orthopaedic nurse control beliefs, their departmental knowledge level, and their value of pressure ulcer prevention relative to that of staff in other specialties. The survey population consisted of trained and assistant nursing staff in both hospital and community settings of a rural Health Service Trust. Overall results showed that key personnel, such as sisters, were significantly associated with prevalence, in that the more they believed they controlled pressure sore prevention, rather than the patient, the higher the prevalence. This has been explained using locus of control typology. The more it was thought that fate controls pressure sore prevention, the lower the departmental prevalence. Further, beliefs about specific conditions (e.g. pressure ulcer prevention) may be less important than generalized beliefs about control in terms of reducing prevalence.It is suggested that the study is replicated and refined, and that the value of pressure sore prevention needs raising. Certain types of attitudes amongst staff may be unhelpful in a broader range of conditions and outcomes. There may be a need to change control expectations of groups of personnel in order to protect patients. |
