Critical Incident Technique applied in nursing and healthcare sciences

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the development and current status of the critical incident technique (CIT), with focus on its fundamental definitions, guidelines, and pros and cons when applied in nursing and healthcare sciences. Method: A theoretical reasoning based on the original literature and with the support of updated literature relevant to the CIT was used. Results: A critical incident is a retrospective story generating an activity, a behaviour which, due to its retrospective perspective, can only be deemed critical in hindsight. The incident is critical if there is a major human activity which is sufficient to allow conclusions and predictions. The story has a clear beginning and a clear end, and its impact needs to be clear with a significant outcome, either positively or negatively. The CIT-procedure, still guided in five steps, is relevant to be appliedin several healthcare disciplines. It has been developed to visualise the experience as well as the subsequent action of the story. CIT is a suitable qualitative method for nursing and healthcare since it is significantly participant-controlled, as data collection is based on the individual/patient perspective. Conclusions: CIT has in its further development become an appropriate qualitative method, i.e., an effective clinical tool when the purpose is to identify and follow-up on individual/patient behavior in terms of descriptions as well as actions of care and treatment.