Are person-related and socio-structural factors associated with nurses’ self-management support behavior? A correlational study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore nurses’ self-perceived behavior of supporting patients’ self-management, and its association with person-related and socio-structural factors. MethodsCorrelational study in a sample of nurses from nine general hospitals, three community healthcare organizations, and six private community practices. Nurses with >50% of their patients living with a chronic condition were eligible to participate. Data were collected at two time-points. Self-management support behavior was measured by the SEPSS-36 instrument. The person-related and socio-structural associated factors were derived from behavioral theories and measured by validated questionnaires. ResultsNurses (N=477) scored overall low on self-management support behavior. Nurses lacked mainly competencies in collaborative goalsetting, shared decision making and organizing follow-up. Factors predicting nurses’ behavior in supporting patients’ self-management were self-efficacy, priority, perceived supervisor support and training in self-management support. This model explained 51.7% of the variance in nurses’ behavior. ConclusionTo date, nurses do not optimally fulfil their role in supporting patients’ self-management. Self-management support is practiced from a narrow medical point of view and primarily consists of informing patients, which is the lowest level of patient participation. Practice implicationsIt is essential to better prepare and support nurses − and by extend all healthcare professionals − for the challenges of supporting patients’ self-management.