Nursing competencies for family-centred care in the hospital setting: a multinational Q-methodology study

Bram Hengeveld, Jolanda M. Maaskant, Robert Lindeboom, Andrea P. Marshall, Hester Vermeulen, Anne M. Eskes

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)
    143 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Aim: to identify: (1) nursing competencies for FCC in a hospital setting; and (2) to explore perspectives on these competencies among Dutch and Australian professionals including lecturers, researchers, Registered Nurses and policy makers. Design: A multinational cross-sectional study using Q-methodology. Methods: First, an integrative review was carried out to identify known competencies regarding FCC and to develop the Q-set (search up to July 2018). Second, purposive sampling was used to ensure stakeholder involvement. Third, participants sorted the Q-set using a web-based system between May and August 2019. Lastly, the data were analysed using a by-person factor analysis. The commentaries on the five highest and lowest ranked competencies were thematically analysed. Results: The integrative review identified 43 articles from which 72 competencies were identified. In total 69 participants completed the Q-sorting. We extracted two factors with an explained variance of 24%. The low explained variance hampered labelling. Based on a post-hoc qualitative analysis, four themes emerged from the competencies that were considered most important, namely: (a) believed preconditions for FCC; (b) promote a partnership between nurses, patients and families; (c) be a basic element of nursing; and (d) represent a necessary positive attitude and strong beliefs of the added value of FCC. Three themes appeared from the competencies that were considered least important because they: (a) were not considered a specific nursing competency; (b) demand a multidisciplinary approach; or (c) require that patients and families take own responsibility. Conclusions: Among healthcare professionals, there is substantial disagreement on which nursing competencies are deemed most important for FCC. Impact: Our set of competencies can be used to guide education and evaluate practicing nurses in hospitals. These findings are valuable to consider different views on FCC before implementation of new FCC interventions into nursing practice.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1783-1799
    JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing
    Volume77
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 13 Dec 2020

    Funding

    The authors thank all the participants in our study. The authors also thank Mr. Jorrit Everts for adapting the HTMLQ code to our study and Mr. Peter Hoegen RN MSc, who made valuable suggestions in adapting the Q-sort to best serve this study. Professor Shawn Banasick provided us with insights in the statistics of Q-methodology.

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Nursing competencies for family-centred care in the hospital setting: a multinational Q-methodology study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this