The influence of effective communication, perceived respect and willingness to collaborate on nurses’ perceptions of nurse–physician collaboration in China

Background: Nurse-physician collaboration is a critical prerequisite for high-quality care. Previous researchers have addressed multiple factors that influence collaboration. However, little of this research has explored the influence of interactional factors on nurses’ perception of nurse-physician collaboration in China. Aims: To examine the influence of interactional factors (effective communication, perceived respect and willingness to collaborate) on nurses’ perception of nurse-physician collaboration. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 971 registered nurses in nine hospitals was conducted. An author-designed interactional factor questionnaire and the Nurse-Physician Collaboration Scale were used to collect data. Multiple regression analysis was used. Results: Nurse-physician collaboration was identified as at a moderate level (mean = 3.93 ± 0.68). Interactional factors (effective communication, perceived respect and willingness to collaborate) were identified as relatively moderate to high (mean = 4.03 ± 0.68, mean = 3.87 ± 0.75, mean = 4.50 ± 0.59, respectively). The results showed that effective communication, perceived respect and willingness to collaborate explained 57.3% of the variance in nurses’ perception of nurse-physician collaboration (Adjusted R² = 0.573, F = 435.563, P < 0.001). Perceived respect (β = 0.378) was the strongest factor relevant to nurses’ perception of nurse-physician collaboration, second was effective communication (β = 0.315), and the weakest factor among these three factors was willingness to collaborate (β = 0.160). Conclusion: Nurses’ perceptions of collaboration were relatively positive, mainly in Sharing of patient information; however, improvements need to be made regarding Joint participation in the cure/care decision-making process. Effective communication, perceived respect and willingness to collaborate significantly affect nurses’ perception of nurse-physician collaboration, with perceived respect having greater explanatory power among the three interactional factors. It is necessary for hospital managers to develop strategies to build professional respect for nurses, facilitate effective nurse-physician communication and improve nurses’ willingness to collaborate.