Relationships between factors and cognitive performance. Registered nurse in the collection of evidence.

Abstract

The research purposes were to study personal factors, supporting factors,
knowledge, understanding and problems, which affected evidence collection in nursing
practices. The relationship between factors were studied for guideline in nursing
practices concerning medical laws related to evidence collection and records. Research
samples were registered nurses, who worked at the out-patient department Bhumibol
Adulyadej Hospital (n=82). Data collection was conducted from each subject with
questionnaires. In depth-interview with forensic experts (n=4) were conducted for data
interpretation. Results of each factor were presented as descriptive statistics, including
percentage mean, standard deviation, and the relationship among studied factors. The
results were analyzed by Peason’s correlation and presented as relation coefficient (r).
The findings show that registered nurses had good attitude and low experience
level concerning evidence collection pertaining to medical legal cases. In addition,
knowledge and attitude in relation to practice guideline of registered nurses were at
the highest levels. Evidence collection and law practice of registered nurses were at
high levels. There was relationship of almost all factors, except experience in evidence
collection (personal factor) had a negative correlation in knowledge and attitude
pertaining to law practice, which was significant, at a low level of relation (r=-.247,
p<0.05). This relationship corresponded to results from in-depth interviews, which
found that forensic nurses may find it necessary to inform and transfer evidence to
policemen. Knowledge, understanding, experience, and attitude concerning medicolegal
practices were improved in medico-legal care, and evidence collection of nurses.
Executive staff should be visited by expert organizations for collaboration.