Hofling et al 1966

Aim
1. To investigate aspects of the doctor nurse relationships, specifically what happens when a nurse is ordered to carry out a procedure that goes against their professional standards
Method
1. USA
2. 12 graduate nurses and 21 student nurses asked to fill out questionnaire about what they'd do in a experimental situation
3. 22 nurses targeted for FIELD experiment
4. While alone on the ward nurses recieved a phonecall from an unknown doctor. 1. The nurse is asked to give a overdose of a drug (placebo) to a patient. 2. Order is given over phone but hospital policy requires orders are given in person 3. The drug is unauthorised on the ward he/she was working on. 4. The order is given by an unfimilar voice
5. Fake pills - astrogen 5mg capsules. Dosage instructions clearly marked
6. 'Doctor' read script
7. Conversations were recorded
Results
1. QUESTIONNAIRE-10/12 Graduate nurses and 21/21 student nurses said they would not have given the overdose
2. 21/22 nurses complied and started to give the overdose (no resistance shows)
CONCLUSION
1. Nurses will knowingly break hospital rules when a doctor tells them to, even if it could endanger a patients life.

Resource summary

	Created by robynsmillie almost 10 years ago