Factors Influencing Nurses' Intention and Behavior in Shared Decision-Making: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Health Outcomes Research
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Shared decision-making (SDM) enhances patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
• Nurses are vital in SDM, but face systemic barriers to participation.
• Understanding factors influencing nurses' SDM engagement is key to improving practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore factors influencing nurses' intentions and perceived behaviors in SDM.
• Utilized the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as the guiding framework.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 159 nurses in 11 Taiwanese teaching hospitals.
• Self-administered questionnaire measured TPB constructs (intention, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, perceived SDM behavior).
• Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and hierarchical linear regression were employed.

Main Results:

• Higher education (master's degree or higher) correlated with stronger intention to engage in SDM.
• Positive attitude (β = 0.40) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.35) significantly predicted intention.
• All TPB variables predicted perceived SDM behavior, explaining 48.8% of the variance.

Conclusions:

• Nurses' intention and behavior in SDM are influenced by attitude and perceived behavioral control.
• Strategies promoting positive attitudes, perceived control, and intention are essential for increasing nurses' SDM participation.
• Hospital managers and educators should implement targeted initiatives, training, and support systems to foster nurses' SDM engagement.