Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index in Primary Health Care in Portugal

Abstract

Studies related to the work environment in primary health care are scarce in the literature. The present study aimed to validate the psychometric properties of the Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) in primary health care (PHC) and to evaluate its construct validity through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in a sample of Portuguese nurses. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and validation study design was implemented. Methods: The sample consisted of 1059 nurses from the PHC units of all 55 health center groups (HCGs) in mainland Portugal, 15 health centers in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, and 6 health centers in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The study tested different structural models using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques. The reliability of the scale was tested by determining Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results: The internal consistency of the PES-NWI was 0.91. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed on the PES-NWI model in PHC with five factors: NPOA, NFQC, NMALSN, SRA, and CNPR. The results show that the scale presents acceptable fit quality indexes in the final factorial solution and adequate convergent validity. Conclusion: The PES-NWI in PHC has an adequate, robust, and reliable five-factor structure. The scale is valid and can be used in clinical practice, nursing management, and PHC research.

Translation, Adaptation, and Validation of the Self-Efficacy Scale for Clinical Nurse Leaders for the Portuguese Culture

“…The concept of leadership speaks to a multidisciplinary approach to quality patient care, which is conducted by experienced, autonomous, competent, and responsible professionals [ 4 ]. Therefore, without the appropriate skills and knowledge, it becomes difficult for nursing leaders to maintain a favourable work environment that promotes quality of care [ 5 ]. Here, the intervention of nurse managers is fundamental.…”

“…Here, the intervention of nurse managers is fundamental. A managing nurse is a driver of change towards excellence, through organizing existing resources and creating a safe environment for quality care [ 5 ].…”

“…Leading nurses influence nursing practice environments and the quality of nursing care [ 5 , 6 ] with their practice and intervention. Nursing practice environments are changeable; that is, the action of the nurse manager is decisive in making them favourable [ 7 ].…”

“…Nursing practice environments are changeable; that is, the action of the nurse manager is decisive in making them favourable [ 7 ]. The nurse, as a leader, is essential to improving communication between teams to achieve goals and increase the quality of nursing care, promote care safety, and develop innovation in practice [ 5 ].…”

Nurses’ job satisfaction in hospital setting: A scoping review

“…A existência de um ambiente de prática de enfermagem favorável é crucial para o bom funcionamento do sistema de saúde porque relaciona-se e promove a qualidade dos cuidados de enfermagem, a eficácia do atendimento, a segurança do cliente e, acima de tudo, a satisfação profissional (Almeida et al, 2020;Carvalho & Lucas, 2020;De Sul & Lucas, 2020;Lucas et al, 2021) Nesse sentido, uma correta gestão, que promova a justiça e a igualdade, contribui para a Satisfação Profissional dos enfermeiros (Lo et al, 2017).…”