Swiss nurses' knowledge related to health care reforms: an exploratory study

This study examines health care reforms' implementation processes from the perspective of nurses' knowledge regarding the reforms. The research has been carried out in the Swiss (Canton Vaud) context, where health care reforms have been initiated, on the National (Federal) level, in 1996.

Three research questions were formulated: (a) What is the level of nurses' knowledge regarding the basic principles of LAMal (Loi fédérale sur l'assurance maladie, Federal Health Insurance Law)? (b) What is the level of nurses' knowledge concerning the principles of health care reforms in Canton Vaud (NOPS, Nouvelles Orientations de la Politique Sanitaire)? and (c) Are there knowledge differences relating to employment setting (hospital, community, and education), nurses' roles (managerial vs. staff nurses) and level of education?

The sample consisted of a total of 74 nurses. Of these, 20 were employed in the community, 30 in hospital settings and 24 worked in schools of nursing. The research tool utilized was 40-items nurses' knowledge questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. Three knowledge subscales and a subscale of certainty were constructed.

Overall, data showed a moderate to high mean level of knowledge (around 70% correct responses) on all knowledge scales considered. Community setting, managerial position, and a nonacademic nursing degree were all positively related to higher levels of reforms' knowledge. On the contrary, employment in a hospital setting and having a university degree had both negative impacts on achieving a high score of knowledge. Levels of certainty were significantly higher for LAMal than NOPS and for correct rather than for wrong responses.