Nurses' Perception of Professional Peer-to-Peer Feedback: Relationship to Nurse Quality of Care, Autonomy, and Patient Safety

Clinical nurse peer-to-peer feedback is vital for patient care improvement and achieving Magnet designation, yet evidence is limited about nurses' perceptions of peer feedback related to autonomous practice, perceived quality, and patient safety. The study aims to understand inpatient clinical nurses' perception of the peer feedback process related to perceived quality of care, patient safety, and autonomy. In 2021, a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study using an online peer feedback survey was conducted on clinical nurses across three inpatient hospitals within a Southern California integrated healthcare system. The data were analyzed using descriptive, comparative, correlational, and regression statistics. N = 457 clinical nurses voluntarily participated. Regression analysis demonstrated that nurses' comfort in giving and receiving peer feedback contributes to the following dependent variable outcomes: Autonomous practice (R2 = 0.208, F (2,452) = 60.447, p < .001); patient care quality (R2 = 0.130, F (2,453) = 32.515, p < .001); and patient safety (R2= 0.035, F (2,419) = 8.066, p < .001). The study outcomes validate the predictive value of nurses' perceived comfort in giving and receiving peer feedback on nurse autonomy, quality, and patient safety. The findings reinforce the need for healthcare leaders to strengthen organizational structures and processes supporting peer feedback.