NURSES' PERCEPTIONS OF FACTORS HINDERING THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND ROLE EXPANSION MEASURES TO ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY TO MEET THE HEALTHCARE CHANGING NEEDS : A QUALITATIVE STUDY.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore nurses' perceptions of factors affecting their productivity at the bedside and proposed measures to improve productivity to meet the changing healthcare needs and challenges faced in the healthcare sector. Background: Rising healthcare costs, ageing population, and a shortage of nurses drive increased recognition to improve productivity level of nurses. Nurses who form the backbone of the healthcare sector influence the success of an organisation. With a higher amount of workload nurses have to manage, ways to look into providing better and more productive care with lesser manpower is vital to maintain a high standard quality of care. Through identifying hindering factors that led to productivity loss for nurses, policies could be improved or clinical practices can be altered to ensure that these factors will be resolved and nurses’ quality care for patients will not be compromised. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was utilised. Purposive sampling of 27 Registered and Enrolled Nurses were recruited from a large tertiary hospital. Focus Group Discussion interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was performed to identify emerged themes and subthemes. Results: A total of four themes and seventeen subthemes emerged from thematic analysis. The four themes were “Meaning of productivity”, “Factors hindering productivity”, “Future challenges nurses face” and “Proposed improvements and role enhancements”. Most nurses felt that process related issues were the key hindering factor. Nurses suggested that institutional support with improved policies and inclusive leadership will create a more productive and conducive environment for nurses. Conclusion: This study provided valuable insights on factors that hindered nurses’ productivity. Leaders need to be aware of these factors to improve nursing quality, raised job satisfaction, bringing about quality care for patients leading to better health outcomes.