Societal perceptions of male nurses in South Korea: A Q‐methodological study. Issue 3 (25th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Ick‐Jee; Kim, Sang‐Hee; Sohn, Sue‐Kyung
• Is Part Of: Japan journal of nursing science. Volume 14:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 219
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 2016-10-25
• Subjects: male -- nurse -- perception -- Q methodology; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- East Asia -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1111/jjns.12152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-7932

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: One of the remarkable changes in today's nursing profession is the emergence of male nurses. In order to promote the development of nursing, it would be beneficial for a positive perception of male nurses to be established in society. This study identified the public perceptions of male nurses in South Korea by using Q methodology and offered basic strategies for enhancing the perception of male nurses. Methods: A Q‐methodological approach, suitable for subjective research, was used for a survey. Q statements were based on 600 Q concourses that were collected through a literature review and individual interviews. Thirty‐seven final Q statements were selected from those. The P sample was collected from 45 persons who were likely to represent a diverse range of views about male nurses. The collected data were analyzed with PQMethod software; a principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to identify the patterns of the public's perception of male nurses. Results: Four distinct perspectives were identified: progressive occupational; conservative occupational; negative occupational; and supportive occupational. Conclusion: This study provided strategies for improving the public's views of male nurses in a conservative country with gender stereotypes. These findings also could attract more male nurses into the profession and increase their retention.