Nursing Doctoral Theses Across Eight Countries: A Document‐Based Qualitative Study

Journal of Nursing Scholarship, vol. 58, pp. e70077

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Doctoral research in nursing is central to advancing scientific knowledge, strengthening professional identity, and informing evidence-based practice, education, and health policy. Analyzing the thematic content of doctoral theses offers insight into research priorities and national variations in nursing scholarship. Yet, no systematic cross-country analysis has examined the thematic focus of such work. OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe the diversity and scope of doctoral nursing research themes across eight countries in the Sigma Europe Region, identifying key areas of scholarly focus and shared priorities. DESIGN: A document-based qualitative study using reflexive thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke, to examine patterns of meaning within thesis summaries. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study included doctoral nursing thesis summaries defended between January 2020 and December 2023, sourced from national and institutional repositories in eight countries of the Sigma Europe Region. A total of 15 repositories (4 national, 11 institutional) were systematically searched, and additional summaries were obtained via direct contact with universities offering doctoral nursing programmes. METHODS: Data were collected between September 2024 and February 2025 using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 431 eligible thesis summaries were analyzed following Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework, supported by MAXQDA software for data management and coding. RESULTS: Thematic analysis identified three overarching domains: (1) foundations of nursing practice and care philosophy, (2) systemic and organizational dimensions of nursing, and (3) clinical innovation and public health impact. Ten interrelated themes emerged, including holistic and patient-centred care; emotional, psychological, and quality-of-life dimensions; communication in healthcare; workforce challenges; transforming nursing practice; maternal, neonatal and pediatric health; digital and virtual health innovations; public health and chronic disease management; and disease management, caregiving, and outcomes. Cross-cutting elements such as cultural sensitivity and resilience spanned multiple themes. CONCLUSION: This cross-national synthesis demonstrates the breadth and depth of doctoral nursing research in the Sigma Europe Region. Findings highlight nursing's pivotal role in addressing healthcare needs through innovative, person-centred, and evidence-informed solutions, and underscore the value of international collaboration in shaping resilient, equitable, and future-ready healthcare systems.

Authors 12

1. Nertila Podgorica corresponding

   UMIT TIROL - Private University for Health Sciences and Health Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nursing Science and Gerontology, Institute of Nursing Science UMIT TIROL–Private University of Health Sciences and Health Technology Hall in Tirol Austria

2. Francisco Sampaio
   Affiliation as printed

   RISE‐Health, Nursing School of Porto Porto Portugal

3. Martin Červený

   University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nursing Care, Faculty of Medicine Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovakia

4. Louise E. Mew

   Milton Keynes Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Milton Keynes University Hospital Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire UK

5. Chun Hua Shao

   Northumbria University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Northumbria University Newcastle UK

6. Helena Aparecida de Rezende

   University of Limerick

   Affiliation as printed

   Scoil Altranais Agus Cnáimhseachais/School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dámh an Oideachais Agus Na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte/Faculty of Education and Health Sciences Ollscoil Luimnigh/University of Limerick Limerick Ireland

7. Dhurata Ivziku

   Università Campus Bio-Medico · Campus Bio Medico University Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Health Professions Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio‐Medico Rome Italy

8. Małgorzata Nagórska

   University of Rzeszów

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum Rzeszow University Rzeszow Poland

9. Luísa Teixeira-Santos

   Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra

   Affiliation as printed

   Health Science Research Unit (UICISA:E) Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC) Coimbra Portugal

10. Sigalit Warshawski

    Tel Aviv University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Nursing Sciences, The Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv‐Yafo Israel

11. Tiago Manuel Horta Reis da Silva

    King's College London

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Adult Nursing Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London London UK

12. Marie‐Louise Luiking Aachen

    Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden University Medical Centre Leiden the Netherlands