Abstract:
Physical assessment is fundamental to the nursing process which forms
an integral part of nursing practice and a standard of professional practice.
This research aimed at determining level of knowledge and practice of
physical assessment skills among nurses at the Greater Accra Regional
(Ridge) Hospital. A descriptive cross- sectional survey was employed. A
sample size of 262 nurses/midwives was used for the study. The study
employed census as the sampling method. A self-administered structured
questionnaire was used for data collection on level of knowledge, practice and
barriers of physical assessment. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.
The findings revealed that nurses at Ridge Hospital have good knowledge on
physical assessment, however their knowledge does not translate into practice.
Physical assessment skills was good for observation, satisfactory for palpation
and percussion but poor for auscultation. Lack of confidence, inadequate time
and interruptions, specialty area, lack of resources, and lack of ward culture
were perceived as barriers whiles reliance on others/technology, and lack of
nursing role model were not perceived as barriers. There was an association
between educational qualification and level of knowledge, p< 0.001. However,
there was no significant difference between ranks and practices, [F = 1.655, P
> .05]. Despite having high knowledge on physical assessment, practice was
poor among the nurses. It was recommended that the Ministry of Health and
the training institutions should emphasize on physical assessment in the
curriculum. Ghana Health Service and health service institutions should
organize in-service training for their staff to enhance their physical assessment
practices for quality care.
