Development of a Structural Model for Rheumatology Nursing Competencies

Abstract

  The study analyzed and identified structural relationships among rheumatology nursing competencies of certified RA nurses.

  Two hundred twenty-seven certified RA nurses listed on the Japan Rheumatism Foundation’s web site were surveyed on the “RA Nurse Core Competency Scale” we developed（2018, Kanzaki et al.）. The results of this previous study were used for secondary analysis to develop a structural model.

  A hypothetical model was created with five factors of nursing competencies: “knowledge and skill regarding RA”, “listening attitude”, “practices and techniques to support self-care”, “support for patients under treatment”, and “smooth rheumatology care provision”. Then, confirmatory factor analysis was performed by structural equation modeling.

  The results showed that “knowledge and skill regarding RA” was the core factor, giving direct influence to each of the other four; “listening attitude” mediated reinforcement of “support for patients under treatment” and “smooth rheumatology care provision”; and “practices and techniques to support self-care” mediated reinforcement of “support for patients under treatment”.

  As relationships among the five factors of RA nursing competencies were identified by structural equation modeling, we propose the structural model could be used for RA nurses as an educational intervention and for determination of its effects.