Factors Affecting the Competence of Nursing Assistants in Taiwan Long-Term Care Institutions

Abstract

With the increasing number of people with disabilities caused by an aging global population, the need for long-term care is gradually increasing. Nursing assistants (NAs) are the primary providers of direct care services to older adults with disabilities, whose knowledge, skills, and beliefs affect the quality of care provided. This study aimed to investigate the influential factors affecting NAs’ current competences. A total of 255 NAs’ valid questionnaires were collected from 20 long-term care institutions in Taiwan through convenience sampling. The questionnaire comprised dimensions of demographics and care competence. The study results indicated that NAs had the greatest care competence in the domain of recognition of patient rights (4.64 ± 0.54 points). The multiple regression indicated that age, religion, job category, disability care experience, the receiving of performance bonuses, and the receiving of year-end bonuses significantly affected the level of care competence (p < 0.05). With the aforementioned findings, the results of this study serve as references for the government in employing long-term care NAs and developing management policies. Training programs for NAs should be developed to improve the quality of care provided to older adults with disabilities.

Assessment of competencies in the prevention and control of chronic diseases and their influencing factors among health assistants in Bhutan: a cross-sectional study

“…Similarly, a study in Ethiopia [ 43 ] noted that males were likely to have better knowledge than females. However, previous studies assessing factors influencing competency among nursing assistants in long-term care facilities in Taiwan [ 20 ] and competency among health staff engaged in the prevention and control of chronic diseases in Fiji [ 21 ] showed no significant association between sex and competency. In Bhutan, this could be because most of the males who work in primary care facilities work as primary health care managers [ 26 ] in addition to clinical positions, and they have more opportunities to attend training, while females mostly handle clinical jobs in health centres.…”

“…WHO suggested that these identified competencies need to prepare the twenty-first century global health care workforce to respond caring for patients with chronic diseases and conditions. Previous studies illustrate that factors such as sociodemographic factors, related training, organizational support, and work environment affect the competency of the health workforce [20][21][22][23][24].…”

“…Most of the previous studies examining the factors influencing competencies in the prevention and control of chronic diseases were conducted among nurses in long-term care facilities [ 20 ], family physicians [ 25 ], and health care leaders in primary care facilities and district health systems [ 26 , 27 ]. There is a paucity of empirical data concerning the factors influencing competencies in the prevention and control of chronic diseases among HAs, who are major frontline workers in Bhutan.…”

Enhancing the Quality of Care in Long-Term Care Settings

“…Research included took place around the world (UK, Australia, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Korea, USA, Spain, Brazil, Germany, and Italy), used a range of methods, and examined quality of care from different angles. Five papers focused on workforce, adding important evidence around supporting staff with training [3], the influences on job competency, satisfaction, and intention to stay in work [4,5], staff burnout [6], and the relationship between staff and organisation with quality of care [7]. Evidence aimed at teams who work with the sector to improve quality of care was also included.…”

Job Stressors and Job Satisfaction in Taiwanese Nursing Assistants

“…With the increasing number of people with disabilities caused by an aging global population, the need for long-term care is gradually increasing. Nursing assistants are the primary providers of direct care services to older adults with disabilities, whose knowledge, skills, and beliefs affect the quality of care provided [3]. One of the problems facing the increasing older population is the prevalence of chronic diseases and possible dysfunctions, resulting in high demand for assistive disability services.…”