This paper presents an explication and discussion of the concept of "barrier" as it applies to nursing and patient care. To this end, the paper identifies the concept, delineates the general aim of the content analysis and discusses its significance for nursing.
The foregoing is then followed by a review of the literature as it relates to the concept's critical attributes, empiric referents, antecedents and consequences, and related and/or contrary concepts. The final section of the paper consists of a series of conclusions about the concept and its role in nursing; all conclusions are formulated based on the reviewed material.
The aim of this concept analysis is to distinguish between the normative or ordinary use of the term barrier and its specific use in nursing practice. The intent here is to clarify the nurse-related meanings of the concept, the purpose of which is to assist in sharpening our scientific understanding of the term as it is used in nursing theory and research.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992) defines a barrier using several general referents. First, a barrier is said to be a structure built to bar passage such as a fence or a wall. Second, a barrier is said to refer to something immaterial that can obstruct or impede; for example, intolerance can be said to be a barrier or obstacle to understanding. Third, the term barrier is used to refer to a boundary or limit, and/or something that separates or holds apart.
The fourth definition given for barrier is ecological. The ecological definition or framework defines barrier as a physical or biological factor that limits the migration, interbreeding, or free movement of individuals or populations. A barrier is also used to refer to the movable gate that keeps racehorses in line before the start of a race; in addition, the term can be used to refer to the palisades or fences enclosing the lists of a medieval tourname...