The transformation from an industrial to a knowledge age has brought about a fast-changing world-focus and a competitive economy. The nursing profession, as part of the larger economy, is challenged by this transformation due to globalisation, internationalisation, capitalism within a consumer society, an ageing workforce, staff shortages, international migration and advanced technology. It is argued that these challenges are impacting directly on the nursing profession as a part of the global economy. This impact is intensified due to the ethos of nursing that is evaluated from a profit perspective and does not value the core values of nursing, that of caring and trust. The managerial strategies that are applied in nursing does not sufficiently harness and direct nurses. Focus is placed on nurse leaders as crucial role players in directing the nursing profession in peril. A call was made by followers for a different type of nurse leaders to lead this challenged profession, in an international arena. Social capital, being an abstract and multi-facet concept is presented as a possible framework to assist with the above crisis. Extremely limited literature was found on the utilisation of social capital to develop nurse leadership amongst these challenges. The research question, and later comprehensive aim, was formulated to examine how a theory in Nursing Science for authentic leadership embedded in a social capital framework, can be constructed. Theory construction of a middle-range theory was conducted in three phases. Phase One implied concept identification, descriptions, definitions and analysis. The actual theory construction was achieved in Phase Two, whilst Phase Three detailed the theory evaluation and guidelines for operationalisation. Main and related concepts were identified as agent, recipient, context, procedure, goal and dynamics. Data collection was conducted by means of a comprehensive literature search of all available national and international literature and included theories, textbooks and articles. Data saturation was achieved after no new information surfaced, n=188. The main concepts, authentic leadership (agent) and social capital (procedure) underwent a comprehensive concept analysis. Related concepts, namely the professional nurse (recipient), South African hospitals (context), positive impact on the triple bottom line (goal) and trust (dynamics) underwent a literature analysis. The theory was graphically portrayed and described by means of a model. The theory was submitted to a panel of experts (n=6). The panel was selected following purposive sampling due to specific inclusion criteria for expertise in social capital, and/or leadership and/or theory construction. The evaluation of the theory was conducted according to a specific framework for critical reflection. Guidelines for the operationalisation of the theory were formulated on a macro-, meso- and micro-level. The final step was the evaluation of the research and recommendations were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Adolescent suicide has become a national health crisis. Suicide now ranks as a leading cause of adolescent death in the U.S. In response to this, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (2001b) recommended the promotion and support of research into suicide and prevention, particularly high-risk groups such as adolescents. However, due to concerns for safety and liability, there have been few studies of highly suicidal individuals, specifically adolescents. Leading suicidologists have agreed that studying the qualities of the near-fatal suicide attempt can most resemble the completed suicide. This case study explored the phenomenon of the near-fatal suicide attempt through the lived experiences of seven adolescent females. Open-ended interviews that candidly expressed adolescent emotions and understanding of events surrounding the attempt were analyzed. Burnard's method of thematic content analysis of these provocative interviews revealed a collective adolescent voice. Interviews were conducted on a locked in-patient psychiatric unit for adolescents. During the one-year enrollment, nine eligible adolescents were hospitalized after an attempted suicide with high intentionality and low rescuability, a level of lethality that is considered serious/near-lethal on the Risk-Rescue Suicide Assessment Scale. Two individuals-both male-declined to participate. A model was developed based on the content analysis of interviews with seven adolescent females in the case study. The model of a path of an adolescent near-fatal suicide attempt illustrated estrangement and eventual alienation from the adolescent's two major social support groups: parents and peers. A lack of a self-identity to cope with stressful experiences in a more rational manner contributed to the pathway. Parenting issues were highlighted by the adolescent's perception of non-supportive communication. Peer issues contributed to the subjects' perception of a lack of social support through their rejection and ridicule of the subjects. Coupled with the impulsivity of youth and mental illness, these subjects were not able to withstand the perception of extreme stress. Resultant near-fatal suicide attempts were initiated with significant ambivalence and no prior communication of intent. Alienation and a lack of appropriate coping skills placed these adolescents at high risk of a near-fatal suicide attempt.

The column is an interview with one of the Neuman trustees. Dr. Lois Lowry shared her experience with the Neuman systems model in curriculum development and evaluation in this dialogue. She shared insights from the development of the international Neuman conference in Holland in June.

Thesis (MCurr)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa, currently enrolled nurses make up the largest proportion of members of the nursing healthcare team. As in direct contact with patients it is essential that the practice environment supports patient and nursing outcomes. Studies confirm the complexity of the practice environment and the impact on both personnel and on the quality of nursing care provided. Job satisfaction is integrally linked to the quality and safety of care provided. The scarcity of registered professional nurses, particularly in the South African context, has resulted in enrolled nurses being widely used to continue to deliver acute care in quite complex situations. It is well documented that the use of suboptimal nursing personnel levels or substituting enrolled nurses for registered professional nurses is associated with an increase of adverse events such as infections, pressure ulcers and unanticipated death. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of enrolled nurses regarding quality nursing care in general nursing units in the private healthcare setting. The objectives being: - The exploration of the enrolled nurses understanding of the concept of quality care - The exploration of the enrolled nurses understanding of her value and contribution to quality care and - The exploration of the enrolled nurses experiences (positive and negative) of quality nursing care in private health care setting A descriptive qualitative methodology was applied. A purposive sample size of n=13 was drawn from the total population of N=387. An exploratory interview was completed. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability were applied and ethical principles were met. Findings demonstrated that enrolled nurses experienced both positive and negative work experiences, some more negative than others. They had a very good understanding of quality care but had difficulty in reconciling the patient’s needs with what they were able to deliver, due to workload pressures and resource constraints: P6: “I miss the quality because that patient that needs just that back rub or just to hold his hand ...the thing is with quality nursing we don’t do quality nursing on the patient anymore.” Most participants experienced registered professional nurses absolving their clinical supervisory responsibility. This endangers the quality and duty of care of patients and is a legal liability. A recommendation is that registered professional nurses require professional development through utilising good role models. This exposure to positive learning experiences will enable their professional development and ethical behaviour. Registered professional nurses need to be taught the skills of how to be team players. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ingeskrewe verpleegsters maak huidiglik die grootste deel van die verplegingsspan se gesondheidsorg uit. As gevolg van die direkte kontak met pasiënte, is dit belangrik dat die omgewingspraktyk pasiënt- en verpleeguitkomste moet kan ondersteun. Navorsingsstudies bevestig die kompleksiteit van die omgewingspraktyk en die impak wat dit op beide personeel en op die kwaliteit van verpleging wat verskaf word, het. Werksbevrediging vorm ’n geïntegreerde skakel met die kwaliteit en veiligheid van sorg wat verskaf word. Die tekort aan geregistreerde professionele verpleegsters, veral binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, het tot die gevolg dat ingeskrewe verpleegsters oral gebruik word om akute sorg in taamlik komplekse situasies te lewer.. Dit is goed gedokumenteer dat die gebruik van suboptimale verpleegpersoneelvlakke of die vervanging van geregistreerde professionele verpleegsters met ingeskrewe verpleegsters, geassosieer word met ’n toename in nadelige gevalle soos infeksies, druk-ulkusse en onverwagte dood. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die ervaringe van ingeskrewe verpleegsters ten opsigte van die kwaliteit van verpleegsorg binne algemene verpleegeenhede in die private gesondheidsorgomgewings te ondersoek. Die doelwitte is ’n ondersoek na die ingeskrewe verpleegsters se: - begrip van die konsep van kwaliteitsorg - begrip van hul waarde en bydrae tot kwaliteitsorg en - ervaringe (positief en negatief) van kwaliteit verpleegsorg binne private gesondheidsorgomgewings. ’n Beskrywende, kwalitatiewe metodologie is toegepas. ’n Doelgerigte steekproefgrootte van n = 13 is geneem uit die totale populasie van N = 387. ’n Voortoets is voltooi. Lincoln en Guba se kriteria van geloofwaardigheid, oordraagbaarheid, betroubaarheid en bevestigbaarheid is toegepas en etiese beginsels is nagekom. Bevindings het bewys dat ingeskrewe verpleegsters beide positiewe en negatiewe werkservaringe gehad het; sommige meer negatief as ander. Hulle het ’n baie goeie begrip van kwaliteitsorg, maar vind dit moeilik om aan die pasiënt se behoeftes, vanweë drukkende werkladings en beperkte bronne te voldoen. P6: “Ek mis die kwaliteit want al wat die pasiënt benodig is die vryf van die rug of net die vashou van sy hand…die probleem met kwaliteitsorg is dat ons nie meer kwaliteitsorg op die pasiënt doen nie.” Die meerderheid van die deelnemers verklaar dat die geregistreerde professionele verpleegkundiges hulle kliniese toesighoudende verantwoordelikheid afskeep. Die gedrag is bydraend tot swak kwaliteit pasient sorg en het direkte wetlik implikasies. Die aanbeveling is dat professionele ontwikkeling van geregistreedrde verpleegkundigies verbeter kan word deur gebruik te maak van goeie rol modelle. Die blootstelling aan positiewe leer ervarings en omgewing sal bydrae tot hulle professionele ontwikkeling en etiese gedragspatrone. Geregistreerde verpleegkundiges moet die vaardighede aanleer om as deel van ’n span te kan funksioneer.

Bakgrund: Sjuksköterskeutbildningens karaktärsämne bygger på ett metaparadigm bestående av begreppen människa, hälsa, miljö och omvårdnad. Detta metaparadigm ligger till grund för de omvårdnadsvetenskapliga teorierna, begreppsmodellerna och slutligen den kliniska professionen. Huruvida vetenskapen ska benämnas omvårdnadsvetenskap eller vårdvetenskap råder ännu ingen konsensus kring, inte heller huruvida omvårdad eller vårdande ska användas som term för sjuksköterskans kunskaps- och kompetensområde. Denna oenighet leder till en begreppsförvirring och en begreppsoklarhet hos studenterna. Vidare uppfattar studenterna ett glapp mellan teori och praktik. Syfte: Studiens syfte var att beskriva sjuksköterskestudenters tankar kring omvårdnadsvetenskap och hur de upplever att denna vetenskap visar sig i sjuksköterskans verksamhetsfält. Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ metodansats och bygger på intervjuer med fem sjuksköterskestudenter i utbildningens sista termin. Intervjuerna är analyserade med en kvalitativ innehållsanalys vars fokus ligger i att finna likheter och skillnader i ett textinnehåll. Resultat: Studiens resultat tecknar en till viss del komplexfylld bild av karaktärsämnet där svårigheter för studenterna framträder att explicit förklara och definiera omvårdnadsvetenskapen, men resultatet tecknar också en bild av en vetenskap som ses som både viktig och värdefull. Slutsats: Ytterligare arbete krävs för att tydliggöra karaktärsämnet och underlätta för studenterna att till fullo nyttja värdet av omvårdnadsvetenskapen. / Background: Nursing as the character topic in nursing education is founded on the metaparadigm consisting of the concepts of human, health, environment, and nursing. This metaparadigm serve as the basis for nursing scientific theories, conceptual models, and finally the clinical profession. Whether the science is to be known as nursing science or caring science is as yet no consensus about, nor whether nursing or caring should be used as a term for the regard of knowledge and competence of the nurse. This disagreement leads to a conceptual confusion among students. Furthermore, the students perceive a difference between theory and practice. Aim: The study's purpose was to describe the nursing students’ thoughts on nursing science and how they experience that this science appears in the nurses’ field of activities. Design: The study was made with a qualitative methodological approach, and is based on interviews with five nursing students in the last semester. The interviews were analyzed with a qualitative content analysis whose focus is on finding similarities and differences in a text content. Results: The results of the study paints to some extent a complex filled image with difficulties for students to explicitly explain and define nursing science, but the results has also painted a picture of a science that is regarded as both important and valuable. Conclusion: Further work is needed to clarify the basic substance of the science and make it easier for students to fully utilize the value of nursing science.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The current shortage of nurses is a concern shared by the healthcare industry globally. Whilst the reasons for these shortages are varied and complex, a key factor among them seem to involve an unhealthy work environment. The demanding nature of the critical care environment presents a challenge to many nursing professionals and it carries the risk of a high turn over rate due to the stress and intensity of the critical care environment. The critical care nurse is responsible for caring for the most ill patients in hospitals and the acute shortage of critical care nurses contributes to the intensity and pressures of this environment. Little evidence exists of research conducted to explore and describe the practice environment of the critical care nurse in South Africa. The main aim of this research study was to construct a theory for positive practice environments in critical care units in South Africa, grounded in the views and perceptions of critical care nurses working in the private hospital context. In recognition of the fact that a positive practice environment is considered to be the foundation for the successful recruitment and retention of nurses, it was clear that issues related to staff shortages will not be resolved unless the unhealthy work environment of nurses is adequately addressed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A constructivist grounded theory design was selected to address the inquiry at hand. The study was divided into two phases and pragmatic plurality allowed the use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to explore, describe and contextualise the data in order to achieve the overall aim of the study. In phase one, a checklist developed by the researcher was used to describe the demographic profile of the critical care units (n=31) that participated in the study. The perceptions of critical care nurses (n=298) regarding their current practice environment was explored and decribed by using a valid and reliable instrument, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). In phase two, the elements of a positive practice environment were explored and described by means of intensive interviews with critical care nurses (n=6) working in the critical care environment. Concepts related to the phenomenon under investigation were identified by means of an inductive analysis of the data through a coding process and memo-writing. One core conceptual category and six related categories emerged out of the data. In the final phase of the theoretical sampling of the literature, a set of conclusions relevant to the phenomenon under study was constructed. The conclusions deduced from the empirical findings in both phases of the research process were integrated with those derived from the literature review to provide the foundation from which the theory was constructed. FINDINGS: The findings from the first phase of the research process provided information about the context in which the participants operate and assisted in discovering concepts considered relevant to the phenomenon under investigation. A grounded theory depicting the core conceptual category of "being in controi" and its relation to the other six categories was constructed from the data in order to explain a positive practice environment for critical care units in the private healthcare sector in South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The current shortage of nurses is a concern shared by the healthcare industry globally. Whilst the reasons for these shortages are varied and complex, a key factor among them seem to involve an unhealthy work environment. The demanding nature of the critical care environment presents a challenge to many nursing professionals and it carries the risk of a high turn over rate due to the stress and intensity of the critical care environment. The critical care nurse is responsible for caring for the most ill patients in hospitals and the acute shortage of critical care nurses contributes to the intensity and pressures of this environment. Little evidence exists of research conducted to explore and describe the practice environment of the critical care nurse in South Africa. The main aim of this research study was to construct a theory for positive practice environments in critical care units in South Africa, grounded in the views and perceptions of critical care nurses working in the private hospital context. In recognition of the fact that a positive practice environment is considered to be the foundation for the successful recruitment and retention of nurses, it was clear that issues related to staff shortages will not be resolved unless the unhealthy work environment of nurses is adequately addressed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A constructivist grounded theory design was selected to address the inquiry at hand. The study was divided into two phases and pragmatic plurality allowed the use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to explore, describe and contextualise the data in order to achieve the overall aim of the study. In phase one, a checklist developed by the researcher was used to describe the demographic profile of the critical care units (n=31) that participated in the study. The perceptions of critical care nurses (n=298) regarding their current practice environment was explored and decribed by using a valid and reliable instrument, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). In phase two, the elements of a positive practice environment were explored and described by means of intensive interviews with critical care nurses (n=6) working in the critical care environment. Concepts related to the phenomenon under investigation were identified by means of an inductive analysis of the data through a coding process and memo-writing. One core conceptual category and six related categories emerged out of the data. In the final phase of the theoretical sampling of the literature, a set of conclusions relevant to the phenomenon under study was constructed. The conclusions deduced from the empirical findings in both phases of the research process were integrated with those derived from the literature review to provide the foundation from which the theory was constructed. FINDINGS: The findings from the first phase of the research process provided information about the context in which the participants operate and assisted in discovering concepts considered relevant to the phenomenon under investigation. A grounded theory depicting the core conceptual category of "being in controi" and its relation to the other six categories was constructed from the data in order to explain a positive practice environment for critical care units in the private healthcare sector in South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Sammanfattning Introduktion  Bemötande och stigma mot personer som lever med hiv har visats påverka deras livskvalitet. Vårdgivarens bemötande är avgörande för att personer med hiv ska få en bra behandling. Generell okunskap och rädsla kring hiv påverkar individen med hiv i stor utsträckning.  Syfte Syftet var att beskriva hur personer med hiv upplevt vårdpersonals bemötande och eventuellt stigma inom hälso- och sjukvård, enligt den vetenskapliga litteraturen. Metod  En litteraturstudie med beskrivande design och en kvalitativ induktiv ansats baserad på 11 originalartiklar. Originalartiklarna var publicerade mellan 2012 - 2022 och har genomgått en tematisk analys. Peplaus interaktionsteori är arbetets teoretiska referensram.  Huvudresultat Resultatet redovisas under domänerna positiva respektive negativa upplevelser av bemötande, upplevt av person med hiv. Kategorierna som återfanns under positiva upplevelser var: omtanke och stöttande attityder. Kategorierna som återfanns under negativa upplevelser var: rädsla och irrelevant beteende, vägran och motvillighet till vård, diskriminering, bristande stöd, påverkan på den interpersonella relationen, stigma leder till rädsla, intersektionellt stigma samt ett bifynd, konfidentialitet.  Slutsats Studiens huvudresultat visade att personer med hiv både upplever ett positivt och ett negativt bemötande inom hälso- och sjukvård. Det negativa bemötandet kan leda en negativ inverkan på vårdrelationen. Det positiva bemötandet leder till en ökad tilltro till vården och att patienterna mår bättre. Verksamheter i vilka patienter med hiv varit missnöjda med vårdpersonals bemötande, föreslås lära av verksamheter i vilka patienter med hiv varit nöjda med vårdpersonals bemötande. / Abstract Introduction  Maltreatment and stigma against people living with HIV (PLWH) has been shown to affect their quality of life. The caregiver's treatment is crucial so that PLWH receive fair treatment. General ignorance and fear about HIV affect the individual with HIV to a large extent. The aim  The aim was to describe how PLWH experience the treatment and possible stigma from healthcare workers in the public healthcare setting, from scientific literature.  Method  A literature study with descriptive design and a qualitative inductive approach that is based on 11 original articles. The original articles were published between 2012 - 2022 and have undergone a thematic analysis. Peplau's interaction theory is used as the theoretical framework.  Results  The results are presented under the domains positive and negative experiences of treatment, experienced by PLWH. The categories under positive experiences were: caring and supportive attitudes. The categories under negative experiences were: fear and irrelevant behavior, refusal and reluctance to care, discrimination, lack of support, impact on the interpersonal relationship, stigma leading to fear, intersectional stigma and a side category, confidentiality. Conclusion  The main results showed that PLWH experience both positive and negative treatment in healthcare. The negative treatment can lead to a negative impact on the interpersonal relations. The positive treatment leads to an increased confidence in healthcare and patients feel better. Health services where patients with HIV have reported dissatisfaction with treatment from healthcare personnel, are suggested to learn from those health services where these patients have experienced nice treatment.

Introduktion: Hiv har beskrivits som den värsta pandemin i modern tid. Sjukdomen är obotlig men genom kontinuerlig läkemedelsbehandling kan en hiv-positiv person leva ett fullgott liv. Forskning bekräftar att det förekommer diskriminering, stigma och kränkningar av mänskliga rättigheter inom sjukvården. UNAIDS som är FN:s program för att råda bot på hiv-pandemin arbetar mot målet att utrota hiv som sjukdom, de beskriver att stigma och diskriminering utgör den största tröskeln för att nå detta mål. Bemötandet inom sjukvården är en avgörande faktor för patientens fortsatta behandling.  Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka hiv-positiva personers upplevelser av bemötandet i sjukvården.Metod: Deskriptiv litteraturstudie med tio kvalitativa studier i artiklar från CINAHL och PubMed. Samtliga studier granskades utifrån SBU:s mall för kvalitetsgranskning av studier med kvalitativ forskningsmetodik och patientupplevelser. En innehållsanalys på tre steg genomfördes.  Resultat: I analysen framkom två kategorier, positiva upplevelser samt negativa upplevelser av bemötande från vårdpersonal. I de positiva upplevelserna framkom två subkategorier; välkomnande och trygg miljö samt engagerad vårdpersonal. I de negativa framkom fem subkategorier; nedlåtande kommentarer, otillräcklig sekretess, kunskapsbrist hos vårdpersonal, överdriven skyddsutrustning samt nekad vård.   Slutsats: Bemötandet visade sig generera både positiva och negativa erfarenheter. Denna litteraturstudie belyser vikten av ett gott bemötande för att inte bidra till stigmatiseringen av hiv-positiva personer. / Introduction: HIV has been described as the worst pandemic of modern times. The disease is incurable, but through continuous drug treatment, an HIV-positive person can live a full life. Research confirms that there is discrimination, stigma and violations of human rights in healthcare. UNAIDS, which is the UN's program to cure the HIV pandemic, works towards the goal of eradicating HIV as a disease, they describe that stigma and discrimination are the biggest hurdles to achieving this goal. The encounter within the healthcare system is a decisive factor for the patient's continued treatment. Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate HIV-positive people's experiences of encounters in the healthcare system. Method: Descriptive literature study based on ten qualitative studies in articles from CINAHL and PubMed. All studies were reviewed based on SBU's template for quality review of studies with qualitative research methodology and patient experiences. A three-stage content analysis was conducted. Results: In the analysis, two main categories emerged, positive experiences and negative experiences of encounter with healthcare personnel. From the positive experiences, two subcategories emerged; welcoming and safe environment and committed nursing staff. From the negative experiences, five subcategories emerged; condescending comments, insufficient confidentiality, lack of knowledge on the part of healthcare staff, excessive protective equipment and denied care. Conclusion: The encounter proved to generate both positive and negative experiences. This literature study highlights the importance of good treatment in order not to contribute to the stigmatization of HIV-positive people.

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disease in fertile woman. PCOS is a complex chronic heterogenous disease with many different symptoms that can make life difficult for the affected and their relatives. Yet there is a problem regarding the awareness of the disease in both the general public and in the knowledge of healthcare providers. Because of the disease is heterogeneous the treatment must be individual but recent studies indicate that there are problems regarding patient information, diagnosis and support from healthcare providers.   Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate women with PCOS experiences regarding the encounter with healthcare personnel.  Method: Literature review with a descriptive design of twelve articles with qualitative studies from Cinahl and PubMed. All of the articles were reviewed using SBU’s template for qualitative articles. A content analysis in six steps were performed.  Results: Two categories appeared through the data analysis: Negative and positive experiences of the encounter with healthcare personnel. Negative experiences included not being taken seriously, lacking of information, perceived lack of empathy, commitment and knowledge among healthcare personnel. Positive experiences included adequate information and an empathic approach from the healthcare personnel.   Conclusion: Empathy, commitment and adequate information are the three most important aspects regarding a good approach from the healthcare personnel which can improve the treatment of the disease for women with PCOS. To improve the encounter, healthcare personnel need to have more knowledge about the condition and get more time to give information, guiding and to form the relationship between patient and healthcare provider. This would give the healthcare providers the opportunity to live up to the expectations given by the international guidelines regarding PCOS management and assessment. / Introduktion: Polycystiskt ovarialsyndrom (PCOS) är det vanligaste endokrina sjukdomstillståndet hos fertila kvinnor. PCOS är en komplex, kronisk en sjukdom med många olika symtom som kan göra livet svårt för de drabbade och deras närstående. Trots detta finns det problem rörande kunskap om sjukdomen hos både allmänheten och vårdgivare. Eftersom sjukdomen är heterogen måste behandlingen individualiseras men studier visar på att det finns problem med information, diagnos och stöd från vårdgivare.  Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur kvinnor med PCOS upplever bemötandet från sjukvården.Metod: Deskriptiv litteraturstudie av tolv artiklar med kvalitativa studier från Cinahl och PubMed. Alla studier granskade utifrån SBU:s mall för granskning av kvalitativa studier. En innehållsanalys i sex steg genomfördes.  Resultat: I analysen framkom två kategorier: negativa och positiva upplevelser av bemötande från vårdpersonal. Negativa upplevelser inkluderade att inte bli tagen på allvar, bristfällig information och bristande kunskap, empati och engagemang hos vårdpersonal. Positiva upplevelser inkluderade tillräcklig information och ett empatiskt bemötande från vårdpersonalen. Slutsats: Empati, engagemang och tillräcklig information är de tre viktigaste aspekterna av ett gott bemötande från vårdpersonal. Dessa tre aspekter kan förbättra hur kvinnor med PCOS kan hantera sin sjukdom. För att förbättra vårdpersonalens bemötande behöver deras kunskap om PCOS ökas och mer tid behöver avsättas till information, rådgivning och utvecklandet av en relation mellan vårdpersonal och patient. Detta skulle kunna leda till att vårdpersonal får de förutsättningar som behövs för att leva upp till de riktlinjer för behandling av PCOS som finns.