Nurse-physician collaboration and associations with perceived nurse autonomy in critical care nurses in Cyprus
Journal
Nursing in Critical Care
Date Issued
January 16, 2015
DOI
10.1111/nicc.12126
Abstract
Background and aims: Increased nurse-physician collaboration is a factor in improved patient outcomes. Limited autonomy of nurses has
been proposed as a barrier to collaboration. This study aims to explore nurse-physician collaboration and potential associations with nurses’
autonomy and pertinent nurses’ characteristics in adult intensive care units (ICUs) in Cyprus.
Design and Methods: Descriptive correlational study with sampling of the entire adult ICU nurses’ population in Cyprus (five ICUs in four
public hospitals, n =163, response rate 88⋅58%). Nurse-physician collaboration was assessed by the Collaboration and Satisfaction About Care
Decisions Scale (CSACD), and autonomy by the Varjus et al. scale.
Results: The average CSACD score was 36⋅36 ±13⋅30 (range: 7 – 70), implying low levels of collaboration and satisfaction with care decisions.
Male participants reported significantly lower CSACD scores (t =2⋅056, p =0⋅04). CSACD correlated positively with years of ICU nursing
experience (r =0⋅332, p <0⋅0001) and professional satisfaction (r =0⋅455, p <0⋅0001). The mean autonomy score was 76⋅15 ±16⋅84 (range:
18 – 108). Higher degree of perceived collaboration (CSACD scores) associated with higher autonomy scores (r =0⋅508, p <0⋅0001).
Conclusions: Our findings imply low levels of nurse-physician collaboration and satisfaction with care decisions and moderate levels of
autonomy in ICU nurses in Cyprus.
Relevance to clinical practice: The results provide insight into the association between nurse-physician collaboration and nurses’
autonomy and the correlating factors.
been proposed as a barrier to collaboration. This study aims to explore nurse-physician collaboration and potential associations with nurses’
autonomy and pertinent nurses’ characteristics in adult intensive care units (ICUs) in Cyprus.
Design and Methods: Descriptive correlational study with sampling of the entire adult ICU nurses’ population in Cyprus (five ICUs in four
public hospitals, n =163, response rate 88⋅58%). Nurse-physician collaboration was assessed by the Collaboration and Satisfaction About Care
Decisions Scale (CSACD), and autonomy by the Varjus et al. scale.
Results: The average CSACD score was 36⋅36 ±13⋅30 (range: 7 – 70), implying low levels of collaboration and satisfaction with care decisions.
Male participants reported significantly lower CSACD scores (t =2⋅056, p =0⋅04). CSACD correlated positively with years of ICU nursing
experience (r =0⋅332, p <0⋅0001) and professional satisfaction (r =0⋅455, p <0⋅0001). The mean autonomy score was 76⋅15 ±16⋅84 (range:
18 – 108). Higher degree of perceived collaboration (CSACD scores) associated with higher autonomy scores (r =0⋅508, p <0⋅0001).
Conclusions: Our findings imply low levels of nurse-physician collaboration and satisfaction with care decisions and moderate levels of
autonomy in ICU nurses in Cyprus.
Relevance to clinical practice: The results provide insight into the association between nurse-physician collaboration and nurses’
autonomy and the correlating factors.