Level of social competencies of nurses in primary health care and their selected work-related determinants-A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of our study was to assess the level of social competencies among primary health care nurses, and to identify the work-related determinants.

Background: Developing social skills of nurses are necessary to establish better relations with patients. Improving these skills allows for higher quality of patient care, as well as patient and nurse satisfaction.

Methods: For the study, 253 primary health care centres were randomly chosen in the Eastern Poland; 600 questionnaires were sent to the nurses employed in these facilities. After checking whether the data met the requirements, 446 nurses took part in the survey. The data were collected using the Social Competencies Profile, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, and the catalogue of primary health care nurse activities.

Results: Older nurses possess lower level of social skills (r = -0.10, p = 0.04). Postgraduate education in the last 2 years differentiated the results of social competencies (p = 0.03) as well as place of residence in the subscale community awareness (p = 0.04). The predictors of social skills among psychosocial work conditions were as follows: Influence at Work (p = 0.02), Possibilities for Development (p < 0.001), Meaning of Work (p < 0.001), Social Support (p = 0.001), Quality of Leadership (p = 0.03), Job Satisfaction (p < 0.001), and General Health (p = 0.001). On the other hand, tasks like Activities in the treatment room (p = 0.003) and Promotion and prevention (p < 0.001) carried out by a nurse anticipated higher level of social skills.

Conclusions: The results of the research proved that work-related factors such as influence at work, professional development, sense of social support, understanding of the meaning of work, perception of the quality of leadership, and higher job satisfaction influence the development of social competencies of nurses; therefore, shaping an appropriate work environment is an important task, especially for leaders and managers of nursing.

Implications for nursing management: We recommend that nursing leaders and health policy makers adopt new strategies and educational programs, which include social skills training as part of the curriculum for the development of the social competencies of nurses.

Keywords: nursing care; primary health care; problem-based learning; professional-patient relations; social skills; workload.