Ward sisters' management styles and their effects on nurses' perceptions of quality of care

The aim of this study was to determine if a ward sister's management style influenced the quality of care received by patients on the ward. The management styles of sisters on 16 oncology wards at the Royal Marsden Hospital were assessed by structured interviews with staff members from each ward. Management styles were classified as high, medium or low on three dimensions, namely socio-emotional orientation, task orientation and pattern of decision making. The quality of patient care was determined by asking all grades of clinical nursing staff to complete a questionnaire. A score for each nurse's perception of the quality of care given on her ward was thus obtained. Correlation of management style and nurse's perception of quality of care indicated that the management style prevalent on a ward influenced the quality of care carried out there. Other factors that influence both management style and quality of care were identified. Suggestions for improving the quality of care given on a ward are thus identified.