The practice and teaching of palpation of the head and neck: A scoping review

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Date

2017-07

Authors

epstein, iris
Herne, P.
Masita, S.
Peisachovich, E.
Eliadis, M.
Robinson, B.
Lee, C. P.
Grosman-Rimon, L.
Silva, C.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Sciedu Press

Abstract

Objective: To explore how palpation of the head and neck is practiced and taught. Methods: The scoping review methodology was guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage approach. Three experienced and independent reviewers searched nine databases according to a predetermine inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: A total of 15 articles from medicine, chiropractic and dentistry published between 1987 and 2016 were included. Two overarching themes emerged, a Cartesian and a Pragmatic perspective in practicing and teaching palpating of the head and neck. Although both perspectives are valuable, we advocate to practice and teach palpation of head and neck from a Pragmatic perspective particularly with the increase use of ultrasound technology to detect masses. A pragmatic perspective takes into account the patient’s context, the ethics of care and highlights the importance of health care providers fostering interpersonal relationships with others during physical assessment. Conclusions: Although nursing studies were absent from this review we believe nurses play a vital role when they are aware of the Cartesian and Pragmatics perspectives when practicing and teaching head and neck palpation as part of a physical assessment. Learning how other disciplines are practicing and teaching head and neck palpation skills will improve interdisciplinary collaboration.

Description

Keywords

head and neck, palpation, practice, teaching

Citation

Journal of Nursing Education and Practice 2017, Vol. 7, No. 12