Nursing Perceptions for Accountability and its Potential Impact on Healthcare Practice: A Systematised Review

Abstract

Abstract Background: Professional nursing practice requires a high level of accountability. However, there is misinterprets and an inconsistent concept for accountability in nursing: mainly, nursing perceptions of accountability are unclear in light of the limited studies and the lack of reviews that focus on discovering the nurses' concept of accountability. Aims: To discover how nurses perceive accountability and its potential impact on healthcare practice. Methods: A mixed method systematised review was conducted. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for literature from 2010 to 2021, published in English, full-text articles access utilising suitable keywords. The result of the search was reported using PRISMA. JBI critical appraisal tools were used to critically appraised the included studies based on their design. A data-based convergent synthesis design mainly thematic synthesis was used for result synthesis. Result: 8 studies were included from 6 countries. According to the appraisal JBL tools used, both qualitative and quantitative studies have strengths and limitations simultaneously, and they are of moderate quality. However, three main themes were identified throughout the studies synthesis: nurses' perspectives of accountability, safety and accountability and workplace accountability culture. conclusions: The nurses' perspectives of accountability diversify and seems to be subjective and inadequate. Nurses agree that accountability involves taking responsibility for actions, and accountability improves patient safety and workplace culture has a negative effect on nursing accountability. It is recommended that further qualitative and quantitative research the current topic.