Nosey Parkers? Professional curiosity in nursing and social work

Background Professional curiosity (PC) can uncover risks for clients who may be reluctant to accept help or are coerced. It has gained recent prominence in the UK in relation to safeguarding children. Yet its knowledge base is unclear. A scoping review (Arksey O’Malley 2005) was therefore conducted of the social work and nursing literature on PC. It was thematically analysed and key trans-disciplinary concerns were highlighted Aims This research sought to: Identify the knowledge base that has been produced by nursing and social work. Identify themes with significance for trans-disciplinary practice. Main discussion The literature on PC is in its infancy and whilst there are signs that it is being nurtured in training the literature does not reflect this happening to the same degree in practice. PC’s contributes to therapeutic relationships, assessing risks and identifying creative solutions, as well as being integral to anti discriminatory and reflective practice. However, personal, interactional, environmental, organisational and cultural factors can inhibit PC, undermining theses essential aspects of practice for nurses and social workers. Discussion and Conclusion PC is an essential aspect of the caring professions. Its absence can lead to disengaged practitioners and poor and ineffectual practice. As well as being an essential aspect of training further initiatives are required to ensure that it is subsequently cultivated in practice.