Practice Environment and Patient-Centered Care Behaviors Among Nursing Staff in a Military Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: A high-quality nursing practice environment is vital for nurses to provide patient-centered care, directly impacting patient outcomes and healthcare quality. Nurses’ daily interactions make their supportive environment key to delivering compassionate care.

Method: This cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study in April-May 2025 surveyed 233 nurses in a Saudi military hospital. Data from a demographic profile, the Practice Environment Scale (PES-NWI), and the Caring Behaviors Assessment (CBAN-SF) were analyzed. IBM-SPSS 28 used frequency, percentages, means, Spearman’s rho, and Chi-square (p<0.05) to examine relationships.

Results: A moderate positive correlation (rs=.513, p<.001) was found between practice environment and patient-centered care. Nationality significantly correlated with environment perception (χ2=41.19, p=0.022). A weak negative correlation (rs=-.143, p=0.029) was noted between a nurse’s educational level and caring behavior, possibly due to burnout.

Conclusion: Improving the nursing practice environment through better staffing and resources directly enhances patient-centered care behaviors. While most demographics don’t influence caring behaviors, further study is needed on the weak negative link with education level. Strategies to improve the nursing practice environment must consider nationality to address the complexities of a diverse workforce.