Open AccessAn integrative review of the use of the concept of reassurance in clinical practice
Author(s) -
Akyirem Samuel,
Salifu Yakubu,
Bayuo Jonathan,
Duodu Precious Adade,
Bossman Irene Fosuhemaa,
AbboahOffei Mary
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
nursing open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.55
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2054-1058
DOI - 10.1002/nop2.1102
Subject(s) - cinahl , psycinfo , social connectedness , medline , critical appraisal , antecedent (behavioral psychology) , psychology , inclusion (mineral) , distress , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , narrative , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , nursing , alternative medicine , social psychology , psychological intervention , linguistics , philosophy , pathology , political science , law
Aim To synthesize evidence on the concept of reassurance in nursing practice. Design Integrative review. Review Method PubMed, OVID MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched from their inception to the 30 May 2020. The search results were screened. We assessed the quality of primary studies using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Included studies were analysed using narrative synthesis. The review protocol was pre‐registered (PROSPERO‐CRD42020186962). Results Thirty‐two papers out of the 2,771 search results met our inclusion criteria. The synthesis of evidence generated three intricate themes, namely “antecedents of reassurance,” “defining attributes of reassurance” and “outcomes of reassurance.” Emotional distress was the main antecedent of reassurance. The three sub‐themes identified under defining attributes of reassurance include self‐awareness, emotional connectedness and verbal and non‐verbal techniques. Ultimately, reposing the confidence of patients and their families in healthcare professionals and the care delivery process to enable them to overcome their challenges constitutes the outcomes of reassurance.