The functionality of unit practice councils and its relationship with nurses' accountability: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• Unit practice councils (UPCs) are key shared governance structures in nursing.
• Understanding UPC functionality is crucial for enhancing nurse accountability and work environments.
• Limited research exists on UPCs' impact within the Saudi Arabian healthcare context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between perceived UPC functionality and nurses' accountability in Saudi Arabia.
• To provide insights into shared governance effectiveness in a tertiary medical center.
• To inform strategies for improving nursing work environments through enhanced UPCs.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study design was employed.
• 160 nurses from a large tertiary medical center in Saudi Arabia participated.
• Structured, self-administered questionnaires assessed perceived UPC functionality and nurse accountability.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported moderate UPC functionality and high levels of accountability.
• A significant positive correlation (r=0.49, p<0.001) was found between perceived UPC functionality and nurse accountability.
• Findings indicate that improved UPC functionality may enhance nurse accountability.

Conclusions:

• Perceived UPC functionality is positively associated with nurse accountability in Saudi Arabia.
• Strengthening UPCs could be a strategy to foster greater nurse accountability.
• Further research is recommended on various shared governance models and their impact on nursing work environments.