Learning Objective #1: identify components of a the shared understanding framework necessary for clinical practice. | |||
Learning Objective #2: articulate that shared understanding in clinical practice cannot be assumed. |
All levels of similarity were used, yet the highest and most complex level of similarity, analogy, was used least. Subjects with a BSN used significantly more similarity descriptions; these were at the literal level for general images, and surface and literal levels for nursing. Subjects with less than ten years experience used significantly more surface (for general) and thematic (for nursing) similarity descriptions. There was a strong correlation surface and literal similarity. Correlations were found for analogy and thematic for BSN, and subjects with 10 or more years experience. Correlations were found between analogy and literal levels for subjects with less than 10 years experience. The BSN cohort used literal and thematic levels in the same manner across image sets. Findings revealed unexpected differences among subject groups in the ability to discern similarities. This study informs our knowledge base regarding how nurses think about what they observe. Further, it is important to nursing because it adds to our understanding of how differences in patient care might occur.