Quality of nursing care, compassionate care and patient satisfaction: A multiple regression in path analysis model

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Background: Patient satisfaction with nursing care is a critical indicator of healthcare quality, influencing treatment adherence and health outcomes. In Vietnam, there is limited research focusing specifically on patient satisfaction with nursing care and the mediating role of compassionate care. Objectives: This study aims to: (i) assess patient satisfaction with nursing care, focusing on its quality and compassionate care; (ii) examine the relationships between nursing care quality, compassionate care, and patient satisfaction using multiple regression analysis; (iii) develop a model to improve patient satisfaction with nursing care based on these findings. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 304 patients hospitalized for a minimum of 72 hours at Hoan My hospital in Dong Nai, Vietnam. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling from the General Internal Medicine and General Surgery departments. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and path analyses to explore relationships between variables. Results: Patient satisfaction, nursing care quality, and compassionate care were rated positively, with mean scores of 3.54 ± 0.69, 3.46 ± 0.86, and 3.54 ± 0.67, respectively. Strong positive correlation were identified between patient satisfaction and both nursing care quality (r = 0.845) and compassionate care (r = 0.777). The analysis revealed that 72.9% of the variance in patient satisfaction was explained by medical-technical competence, identity-oriented approaches, and physical-technical conditions. Additionally, compassionate care explained 61.7% of the variance in satisfaction, with patient expectation and capable practitioner being key factors. Path analysis showed a significant indirect effect of nursing care quality on patient satisfaction mediated through compassionate care (β = 0.227, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study found that patients rated nursing care quality and compassionate care very high resulting in strong satisfaction. Improving care quality through a compassionate approach can further enhance patient satisfaction. It is recommended to develop a culture of patient-centered care that values empathy, understanding, and addressing patients’ psychological and emotional needs.