Implementing Relationship-Based Care as a Professional Practice Model: Promoting Nurses' Understanding and Confidence...

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Professional practice models (PPMs) are crucial for guiding nursing practice, professional behaviors, and clinical leadership.
• The evolving healthcare landscape, including health system mergers, necessitates nurses' adoption and understanding of new PPMs.
• Relationship-based care (RBC) was adopted as a new PPM following a health system merger.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create an educational module focused on the RBC model.
• To evaluate the module's impact on nursing staff and leaders' confidence, understanding, and application of RBC.
• To identify themes and barriers related to the implementation of RBC as an organizational PPM.

Main Methods:

• Development of an educational module on relationship-based care (RBC).
• Presentation of the module to a sample of nursing staff and leaders.
• Evaluation of the module's effectiveness through quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

Main Results:

• Quantitative data indicated the module significantly increased nurses' understanding and confidence in applying the RBC model.
• Qualitative data revealed key themes including team building, self-care, presence, time/resource constraints, and resistance to change.
• Identified barriers to RBC implementation include lack of time and resources, and fear of change.

Conclusions:

• The educational module is an effective tool for enhancing nurses' comprehension and confidence in relationship-based care.
• Successful implementation of RBC as a PPM requires addressing identified barriers and fostering supportive themes.
• Further strategies are needed to navigate challenges and ensure effective integration of the RBC model into professional nursing practice.