About

Luke Laari (PhD) is a senior lecturer in the Department of Public Health Nursing in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Ghana. Dr. Laari holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Nursing from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, and a PhD in Nursing from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa. He also graduated with a Master of Nursing degree with a focus on nursing research, as well as an honours degree in nursing education (Summa Cum Laude) from UKZN, South Africa.

He is actively involved in supervising both doctoral and master’s students with research interests in health advocacy, the integration of soft skills into clinical nursing practice, nursing ethics and theories, clinical reasoning, and neurodevelopmental conditions in children, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications within his areas of expertise

Education and Qualification

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa (2017-2020)
• Master of Nursing (Nursing Research), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa (2016-2017)
• Honours (Nursing Education) “Summa Cum Laude” University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa (2015-2016)
• Certificate in Curriculum Innovations and PBL, University of Applied Sciences, Leiden, Nederland (2013)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) 
• Kumasi, Ghana (2006-2009)

Research Areas

Clinical Nursing Practice
Health Communication
Qualitative research

Research interest 
Health Communication and Soft Skills in Nursing
Health Disparities and Advocacy
Autism Spectrum Disorders

Research Projects

Co-investigator: Implementation of Antenatal Depression Screening and Referral

(ADSR) Protocol in a Community Health Centre in Durban,

South Africa (ZAR 383,000) (2024) Principal Investigator- Prof. Olivia B. Baloyi

Publications

1. Laari, L. (2024). Soft Skills in Nursing: Nurse-Patient Encounters and Interactions.
2. Baloyi, O. B., Laari, L., Mbobnda Kapche, C. X., & Mbobnda Kapche, E. L. (2024). Knowledge of Midwives Regarding Antenatal Depression, Screening, and Referral in South Africa: A Qualitative Study Protocol. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23, 16094069241298417.
3. Mumuni, H. I., Iddrisu, M., Laari, L., Dzansi, G., & Aziato, L. (2024). Navigating end-of-life care dilemmas: a qualitative inquiry of nurses’ and midwives’ knowledge of euthanasia and circumstantial factors influencing euthanasia in a resource-constraint setting. BMC nursing, 23(1), 859.
4. Laari, L. (2024). Context and practices of health advocacy role by nurses in Ghana: A qualitative study. Nursing Practice Today, 11(4), 388-397.
5. Okyere, R., Ampomah, M. O., Achempim-Ansong, G., Laari, L., Ohene, L. A., & Atkin, K. (2024). Sickle cell disease awareness and perception among Christian religious leaders in Accra Metropolis: a qualitative study. Journal of Community Genetics, 1-12.
6. Senoo, E. J., Oti-Boadi, M., Senoo-Dogbey, E. V., Bampoe, O. J., & Laari, L. (2024). Barriers to inclusive education of children with autism: Ghanaian teachers’ perspective. Discover Education, 3(1), 1-13.
7. Laari, L., Anim-Boamah, O., & Nyame, M. (2024). Defining soft skills in nursing: a concept analysis. Frontiers of Nursing, 11(3), 243-251.
8. Ampomah, M. O., Atkin, K. M., Ohene, L. A., Achempim-Ansong, G., Korash, K. A., & Laari, L. (2024). Financial Strain and Resilience: A Qualitative Exploration of Parental Perspectives on Caring for Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Ghana. BMC Health Services Research.
9. Berko, Y. D., Badzi, C. D., Ampomah, M. O., & Laari, L. (2024). Newborn resuscitation practices among nurses and midwives in Ghana. Journal of Neonatal Nursing.
10. Ofori, S., Laari, L., & Anim-Boamah, O. (2024). Understanding “danger signs” in healthcare: A concept analysis. International Health Trends and Perspectives, 4(1), 1-13.
11. Anim-Boamah, O., Ani-Amponsah, M., Laari, L., & Aziato, L. (2024). Pharmacological management of invasive procedural pain in children: Facilitators and barriers. Douleurs: Évaluation-Diagnostic-Traitement, 25(1), 1-10.
12. Bentum, L. S., Ohene, L. A., Agyare, V. A., Laari, L., & Ampomah, M. O. (2023). Fathers' experiences of caring for children living with cerebral palsy: A qualitative study in a low resourced socioeconomic context, Ghana. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 73, e100-e106.
13. Laari, L., & Duma, S. E. (2023). A call for total nursing role reformation: Perceptions of Ghanaian nurses. Nursing Inquiry, 30(3), e12549.
14. Laari, L., & Duma, S. E. (2023). Barriers to nurses' health advocacy role. Nursingethics, 30(6), 844-856.
15. Laari, L., & Duma, S. E. (2023). Health advocacy role performance of nurses in underserved populations: A grounded theory study. Nursing Open, 10(9), 6527-6537.
16. Laari, L., Anim-Boamah, O., & Boso, C. M. (2022). Soft skills: The matchless traits and skills in nursing practice: An integrative review. Nursing Practice Today, 9(4), 267-278.
17. Laari, L., & Duma, S. E. (2021). Facilitators of the health advocacy role practice of the nurse in Ghana: A qualitative study. Health Science Reports, 4(1), e220.
18. Laari, L., Kuupiel, D. and Boso, C.M., (2021). Mapping Research Evidence on Children Living With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Africa: A Scoping Review Protocol, Journal of Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health 6 (2022), 245-253
19. Laari, L. and Dube, B.M., (2019). Student Nurses’ Perceptions of Clinical Skills Laboratory as a Learning Space in South Africa. Numid Horizon: an International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery 3(1), 54-61
20. Laari, L. & Dube, B.M. (2017). Nursing students’ perceptions of soft skills training in Ghana. Curationis, 40(1), 1-5.

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Courses
PHNR 303: Community Participation and Organisation (BSc)
PHNR 304: Health and Wellbeing of Vulnerable Populations (BSc)
PHNR 403: Community Health Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (BSc)
PHNR 402: Gerontological and Home-Based Nursing (BSc)

Postgraduate Courses
NURS 603: Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing (MSc and MPhil)
NURS 602: Issues in Nursing and Health Care Delivery (MSc and MPhil)
MIDW 608: Curriculum Development and Teaching in Midwifery (MPhil, Midwifery)
NURS 703: Philosophical Perspectives in Nursing (PhD)
NURS 704: Theory Development in Nursing (PhD)