Abstract:
The overall goal of this research work was to explore the understanding of theorypractice
gap from the perspective of nurse faculty and nursing students in
University for Development Studies, and clinicians in Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Despite several attempts by nurse faculty and clinicians to address the theorypractice
gap, it remains a central issue in both nursing education and practice.
Most of the initiatives to bridge the theory-practice gap have evolved in
geographic areas such as the USA, UK, and other developed nations. Little
research addressing the issues is evident in sub-Saharan Africa. A descriptive
phenomenological methodology was used. Data were collected using focus group
discussions. A purposive sampling technique was used in recruiting 32 study
participants. The sample consisted of 32 participants, comprising 8 nurse faculty,
12 clinicians (6 in each discussion session) and 12 nursing students (6 in each
discussion session). The study adopted Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenology data
analysis process. Five themes were identified: system inadequacies; resource
constraints; challenges of the clinical learning environment; clinical placement
and supervision; nurse faculty factors. In Ghana, stakeholders in nursing
education and practice are yet to realise the implications of the theory-practice
gap and its associated challenges on contemporary nursing education and nursing
practice.Based on this evidence of the scope and factors contributing to theorypractice
gap in Ghana, further research could be conducted to identify and
develop research-based strategies to bridge the gap.
