Research methods in the care of socially vulnerable patients

Background: When socially vulnerable people are hospitalized, they often experience stigmatization because of their alcohol and drug abuse and because they stand out from the norm in both behavior and appearance. Stigmatization is associated with discharge without completing treatment and against the recommendation from health care professionals, which leads to a high re-admission rate and increased mortality. Existing research reveals that nurses working in somatic wards, due to a lack of knowledge and adequate competencies, possess negative attitudes towards socially vulnerable patients, potentially affecting the offered care and treatment.Therefore, the overall purpose of this study is to improve nursing care of socially vulnerable patients during hospitalization in somatic wards.Methods: The design is action research as described by Lewin (1997) and Nielsen (2020). First, collection of data through participant observations will take place in four different somatic wards. The aim is to achieve insight into the organizational possibilities and barriers of the offered care to socially vulnerable patients. Based on the findings and insight gained through the observational study, conduction of several workshops, with each two or three nurses from different wards, takes place. These workshops will aim to develop nurse interventions e.g. communication strategies and subsequently evaluate the feasibility and effect of these interventions. Results: The study is currently in the planning phase, and data collection begins in late 2023. Therefore, no results are currently available.Discussion: We want to discuss the methodological considerations that arise when caring out research out in nursing care for socially vulnerable patients.