Defining family nursing. A global perspective

A study conducted by researchers who are members of the International Collaboration Subcommittee of the Research Committee of the International Family Nursing Association (IFNA). Sonja J. Meiers, Lindsay Smith, Birte Østergaard, Anne Brødsgaard, Cindy Danford, Kathryn Hoehn Anderson, Crystal Edds-McAfee, Helene Moriarty, Veronica Swallow, Junko Honda, Suzanne Feetham, Background/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define family nursing from a global perspective as perceived by family nurse researchers. Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological perspective guided the study. Methods: A mixed methods design with survey methods was used. Family nurse researchers (n=42) who understand written English and who are members of the International Family Nursing Association (IFNA) Family Research Committee comprised the internet-accessed sample. Participants were recruited by email sent to the Research Committee membership list. Data were collected by online survey using the Qualtrix software program and returned anonymously. The Defining Family Nursing (DFN) survey was designed by an international collaborative of family nurse researchers and comprised of seven closed-ended questions and eight open-ended questions designed for open text responses. Data were aggregated and analyzed by question through descriptive and content analyses methods. Three teams of two researchers completed initial content analysis using distance technology; the larger research team completed holistic analysis. Results: Participants had practiced for a mean of 5.5 years; were masters- or doctorally-educated and from 18 different countries across six continents. Sixty-seven percent include families in nursing care in their country. Fifty-seven percent (n=24) had formal education in family nursing in graduate education; 33% in undergraduate education. Family nursing was defined "in context" (8%), "as a unit" (12%), or related to specialty or role (10%); others provided no relevant response (22.5%) or indicated no definition (17.5%). Barriers and facilitators include family, nurse, and healthcare system strengths and attributes within the microsystem. The exosystem includes professional, legislative, and government factors; the macrosystem includes societal and cultural barriers and facilitators. Conclusions: The practice of family nursing is constructed within relationships as influenced by culture. The adoption of consistent family nursing may be related to the culture and, perhaps the political and social will within the country.