Nudging in the nursing home: A qualitative interpretive study
Background: Nudging involves deliberately changing the environment or context to induce better choices. Several studies consider such methods unethical manipulation that threatens the principles of informed consent and autonomy, which are particularly vital in healthcare. Others argue that nudging r...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X24001140 |
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| author | Anne Helene Mortensen Dagfinn Nåden Dag Karterud Vibeke Lohne |
| author_facet | Anne Helene Mortensen Dagfinn Nåden Dag Karterud Vibeke Lohne |
| author_sort | Anne Helene Mortensen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Nudging involves deliberately changing the environment or context to induce better choices. Several studies consider such methods unethical manipulation that threatens the principles of informed consent and autonomy, which are particularly vital in healthcare. Others argue that nudging respects personal freedom because it is not in conflict with the person's explicit values or choices, beneficial, and easy to resist. Additionally, studies argue that such strategies are legitimate as they can prevent more intrusive forms of paternalism. Given the increasing prevalence of soft paternalism through nudging, there is a need to examine its use in healthcare. Objective: This study explored the phenomenon of nudging in a nursing home context. Design: A qualitative interpretive design informed by Gadamer's hermeneutics was employed. Setting: Three distinct nursing home units in Norway, including long-term, dementia, and rehabilitation units. The study was conducted between December 7th. 2019 and July 2nd. 2020. Participants: Individuals involved in the units during the observation period. Methods: Seven to eight weeks of observations, followed by interviews with caregivers (nurses and auxiliary nurses), two occupational therapists, and two physiotherapists. Results: The results suggest that nudging in this context can be understood across three themes: modification of physical surroundings, information and interaction, and ambiguous interventions. Conclusions: Nudging is being used in nursing homes to guide residents’ choices and behaviors to foster their well-being and uphold social norms. However, caregivers are also navigating the use of diverse forms of influence, including subtle nudging and assertive persuasion, and must consider complex factors. Registration number: REK – Regional ethics committee case number 175774Sikt - Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research case number 248550. Social media abstract: Experienced caregivers in nursing homes effectively use nudging to guide care routines, resulting in efficient care and better interactions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d8334f0d2aae45639f74e2f8d3c83a72 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-142X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances |
| spelling | doaj-art-d8334f0d2aae45639f74e2f8d3c83a722025-01-08T04:53:29ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Nursing Studies Advances2666-142X2025-06-018100287Nudging in the nursing home: A qualitative interpretive studyAnne Helene Mortensen0Dagfinn Nåden1Dag Karterud2Vibeke Lohne3Corresponding author at: OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, P.O. Box 4 St., Olavs plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet–Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet–Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet–Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet–Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayBackground: Nudging involves deliberately changing the environment or context to induce better choices. Several studies consider such methods unethical manipulation that threatens the principles of informed consent and autonomy, which are particularly vital in healthcare. Others argue that nudging respects personal freedom because it is not in conflict with the person's explicit values or choices, beneficial, and easy to resist. Additionally, studies argue that such strategies are legitimate as they can prevent more intrusive forms of paternalism. Given the increasing prevalence of soft paternalism through nudging, there is a need to examine its use in healthcare. Objective: This study explored the phenomenon of nudging in a nursing home context. Design: A qualitative interpretive design informed by Gadamer's hermeneutics was employed. Setting: Three distinct nursing home units in Norway, including long-term, dementia, and rehabilitation units. The study was conducted between December 7th. 2019 and July 2nd. 2020. Participants: Individuals involved in the units during the observation period. Methods: Seven to eight weeks of observations, followed by interviews with caregivers (nurses and auxiliary nurses), two occupational therapists, and two physiotherapists. Results: The results suggest that nudging in this context can be understood across three themes: modification of physical surroundings, information and interaction, and ambiguous interventions. Conclusions: Nudging is being used in nursing homes to guide residents’ choices and behaviors to foster their well-being and uphold social norms. However, caregivers are also navigating the use of diverse forms of influence, including subtle nudging and assertive persuasion, and must consider complex factors. Registration number: REK – Regional ethics committee case number 175774Sikt - Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research case number 248550. Social media abstract: Experienced caregivers in nursing homes effectively use nudging to guide care routines, resulting in efficient care and better interactions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X24001140Care RoutinesExperienced caregiversNudgingNursing homesSoft paternalismDignity |
| spellingShingle | Anne Helene Mortensen Dagfinn Nåden Dag Karterud Vibeke Lohne Nudging in the nursing home: A qualitative interpretive study International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances Care Routines Experienced caregivers Nudging Nursing homes Soft paternalism Dignity |
| title | Nudging in the nursing home: A qualitative interpretive study |
| title_full | Nudging in the nursing home: A qualitative interpretive study |
| title_fullStr | Nudging in the nursing home: A qualitative interpretive study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nudging in the nursing home: A qualitative interpretive study |
| title_short | Nudging in the nursing home: A qualitative interpretive study |
| title_sort | nudging in the nursing home a qualitative interpretive study |
| topic | Care Routines Experienced caregivers Nudging Nursing homes Soft paternalism Dignity |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X24001140 |
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