The Experiences of Senior Nursing Students Regarding Patient Privacy: A Qualitative Study
Abstract
Aim: It is important to determine the experiences of future professional nursing candidates regarding patient privacy. The aim of this study is to examine the experiences of final-year nursing students regarding patient privacy. Ensuring patient privacy is one of the most important issues in healthcare services.
Material and Methods: A qualitative research method was used. The study used a qualitative research method, and reporting was done according to the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research-COREQ checklist. Study sample of the study consisted of 16 fourth-year nursing students. Data were collected between March and June 2023 using a semi-structured focus group interview method. The data obtained from the interviews were evaluated using content analysis.
Results: The data were grouped into four main themes and eight sub-themes: definition of patient privacy, the impact of healthcare professionals on ensuring patient privacy, factors affecting patient privacy, patient privacy in emergencies, and rapid intervention in intensive care. Physical privacy is at the forefront of the students' definitions of patient privacy. Students expressed a sense of inadequacy regarding what they could do in situations where factors such as gender, religion, and education affected patient privacy. Following their clinical observations, students indicated that healthcare professionals needed periodic in-service training on patient privacy.
Conclusion: It was observed that final-year nursing students were knowledgeable about patient privacy during their undergraduate education, but their awareness of this issue was low.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Nursing (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
May 24, 2026
Submission Date
June 26, 2025
Acceptance Date
April 22, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 2