Factors Related to the Autonomy of Nurses Working in Elderly People Daycare Services Facilities

Abstract

Purpose: Demand for elderly people daycare service (DS), a long-term care insurance service that combines primary and tertiary prevention, has been increasing. Autonomy of nurses working in DS implies that they be recognized in their professional roles in working and collaborating with other professionals, be able to act, make decisions, make choices without restraint or restriction from others, and apply decision-making and other skills in practice. We report the results of a survey aimed at clarifying factors associated with the autonomy of DS nurses.

Methods: Among 4,214 registered DS nurses in the Japanese Council of Senior Citizens Welfare Service, we randomly selected 1,771. An anonymous self-rated questionnaire survey, sent to one nurse per DS by post, included questions about personal factors (basic attributes, self-actualization as a nurse, etc.), institutional characteristics (current position, etc.), organizational factors (work environment, etc.), and autonomy as a nurse.

Results: Among the 403 replies (22.8% response rate) received, 344 participants (19.4% valid response rate) agreed to cooperate with the study and were not deficient as per the Japanese version of the Dempster Practice Behaviors Scale (DPBS), which measures nursing autonomy, were included. Total mean±standard deviation of the DPBS score was 93.0±14.5. Logistic regression analysis revealed that personal factors (self-actualization as a nurse), institutional factors (current job titles), and organizational factors (comfortable working environment) were significantly associated with autonomy.

Conclusion: Providing support that encourages self-actualization can improve the practical ability of nurses working in DS and the quality of support for the elderly.