Moving between doing and being-Meanings of person-centredness as narrated by nursing home managers. A phenomenological hermeneutical study.

AIM: This study aimed to illuminate meanings of person-centredness as narrated by nursing home managers in nursing homes rated as highly person-centred. DESIGN: A phenomenological hermeneutical approach was used. METHODS: Twelve nursing home managers in 11 highly person-centred nursing homes in 7 municipalities in Sweden were included in this interview study. The findings were interpreted, reflected and discussed through the lens of Ricoeur. RESULTS: Meanings of person-centredness could be understand as moving between doing and being through knowing, sensing, sharing and giving for person-centredness. These aspects contributed via knowledge, understanding, interaction and action that involved doing for and being with older persons through these caring dimensions. By moving between doing for, being with and being part of the overall nursing home narrative, knowing, sensing, sharing and giving could support the persons' identity in different ways. This may also contribute to sense-making, preserving dignity and promoting self-esteem when aiming to provide a good life for older persons in nursing homes, within an ever-present ethical frame. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study illuminated meanings of person-centredness as narrated by nursing home managers. No patient of public contribution was investigated.

Exploring the impact of nursing home managers' leadership on staff job satisfaction, health and intention to leave in nursing homes.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of nursing home leadership and staffing characteristics on staff job satisfaction, health and intention to leave. BACKGROUND: The number of older people has outpaced growth in the nursing home workforce worldwide. Identifying predictors with the potential to positively impact staff job satisfaction, health and intentions to leave are important. Leadership of the nursing home manager can be one such predictor. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. METHODS: A sample of 2985 direct care staff in 190 nursing homes in 43 randomly selected municipalities in Sweden completed surveys on leadership, job satisfaction, self-rated health and intention to leave (response rate 52%). Descriptive statistics and Generalised Estimating Equations were conducted. The STROBE reporting checklist was applied. RESULTS: Nursing home managers' leadership was positively related to job satisfaction, self-rated health and low intention to leave. Lower staff educational levels were related to poorer health and lower job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing home leadership plays a significant role in the job satisfaction, self-reported health and intention to leave of direct care staff. Low education levels among staff seem to negatively influence staff health and job satisfaction, suggesting that educational initiatives for less-educated staff could be beneficial for improving staff health and job satisfaction. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Managers seeking to improve staff job satisfaction can consider how they support, coach and provide feedback. Recognising staff achievement at work can contribute to high job satisfaction. One important implication for managers is to offer continuing education to staff with lower or no education, given the large amount of uneducated direct care workers in aged care and the impact this may have on staff job satisfaction and health. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution was required to outcome measures in this study. Direct care staff and managers contributed with data.

Longitudinal changes in nursing home leadership, direct care staff job strain and social support in Swedish nursing homes-findings from the U-AGE SWENIS study.

BACKGROUND: Promoting healthy work environment as a manager in nursing homes is important to safeguard staff health and well-being as well as care quality when facing increasing demands. The impact of leadership on staff work environment needs further exploration. OBJECTIVES: To describe longitudinal changes in nursing home leadership, direct care staff characteristics, job strain and social support. METHODS: This study has a repeated cross-sectional design, a five-year follow-up study. Nursing home staff in 181 corresponding units (n = 1253 in 2014 and n = 1176 in 2019) completed surveys about leadership, staff job strain and social support in a five-year follow-up study. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A higher degree of leadership defined by coaching and providing direct feedback to care staff, handling conflicts in a constructive way and having control of the clinical work, was significantly associated with a lower degree of job strain and a higher degree of social support among staff, with stronger associations at follow-up. The proportion of enrolled nurses increased significantly at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Leadership is increasingly important for staff work environment, especially in times of increased workload and decreasing collegiality and deteriorating work atmosphere at work. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Stakeholder and policy makers in nursing home care may reflect on how managers' leadership is prioritised in these environments because such leadership is associated with staff job strain and social support. Managers striving to improve the work situation of staff may consider their own role and allow flexibility in how and when the work can be performed.

Effects of a person-centred and thriving-promoting intervention on nursing home residents' experiences of thriving and person-centredness of the environment.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of a person-centred and thriving-promoting intervention on nursing home residents´ experiences of thriving and person-centredness of the environment, and to evaluate if the effects varied between female and male residents. DESIGN: A multi-centre, non-equivalent controlled group before-after intervention design. METHODS: Six nursing homes in Australia, Norway and Sweden were allocated to either intervention or control group. The intervention comprised a staff educational programme. A survey using proxy-ratings by staff was administered before (T0), immediately after (T1) and six months after (T2) the intervention. The sample varied between 205 and 292 residents. Linear regression models were used to explore effects. RESULTS: Statistically significant effects were found on experiences of thriving and person-centredness of the environment. These effects were significant for male residents but not for female residents. The results emphasize the importance of individually tailored social and recreational activities.

The significance of nursing home managers' leadership-longitudinal changes, characteristics and qualifications for perceived leadership, person-centredness and climate.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim was to explore changes in nursing home managers' leadership, person-centred care and psychosocial climate comparing matched units in a five-year follow-up and to explore the significance of managers' educational qualifications and the ownership of nursing homes for perceived leadership, person-centred care and psychosocial climate in the follow-up data. BACKGROUND: Leadership has been described as crucial for person-centred care and psychosocial climate even though longitudinal data are lacking. The significance of managerial leadership, its characteristics, managerial qualifications and ownership of nursing homes for perceived leadership, person-centred care and psychosocial climate also needs further exploration. DESIGN: Repeated cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study used valid and reliable measures of leadership, person-centred care, psychosocial climate and demographic variables collected from managers and staff n = 3605 in 2014 and n = 2985 in 2019. Descriptive and regression analyses were used. The STROBE checklist was used in reporting this study. RESULTS: Leadership was still positively significantly associated to person-centred care in a five-year follow-up, but no changes in strength were seen. Leadership was still positively significantly associated with psychosocial climate, with stronger associations at follow-up. Six leadership characteristics increased over time. It was also shown that a targeted education for nursing home managers was positively associated with person-centred care. CONCLUSIONS: Leadership is still pivotal for person-centred care and psychosocial climate. Knowledge of nursing home managers' leadership, characteristics and educational qualifications of significance for person-centred delivery provides important insights when striving to improve such services. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings can be used for management and clinical practice development initiatives because it was shown that nursing home managers' leadership is vital to person-centred care practices and improves the climate for both staff and residents in these environments.

The influence of nursing home managers' leadership on person-centred care and stress of conscience: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Leadership and stress are common concepts in nursing, and this study explores empirically the connection between leadership and stress of conscience in the context of aged care practice. Previous literature has shown that when staff are unable to carry out their ethical liabilities towards the residents, feelings of guilt may occur among staff, which may be an expression of stress of conscience. Although leadership has been described as crucial for staff's work perceptions of stress as well as for person-centred practices, the influence of nursing home managers' leadership on stress of conscience among staff and person-centred practices is still not fully explored. This study attempts to address that knowledge gap by exploring the relationship between leadership, person-centred care, and stress of conscience. METHODS: This study was based on a cross-sectional national survey of 2985 staff and their managers in 190 nursing homes throughout Sweden. Descriptive statistics and regression modelling were used to explore associations. RESULTS: Leadership was associated with a higher degree of person-centred care and less stress of conscience. A higher degree of person-centred care was also associated with less stress of conscience. The results also showed that leadership as well as person-centred care were individually associated with lower levels of stress of conscience when adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Nursing home managers' leadership was significantly associated with less staff stress of conscience and more person-centred care. This indicates that a leadership most prominently characterised by coaching and giving feedback, relying on staff and handling conflicts constructively, experimenting with new ideas, and controlling work individually can contribute to less staff stress as well as higher degree of person-centred care provision.

Effects of a person-centred and thriving-promoting intervention on nursing home staff job satisfaction: A multi-centre, non-equivalent controlled before-after study.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of a person-centred and thriving-promoting intervention in nursing homes on staff job satisfaction, stress of conscience and the person-centredness of care and of the environment. Design: A multi-centre, non-equivalent control group, before-after trial design. Methods: Staff (N = 341) from six nursing homes in Australia, Norway and Sweden were assigned to the intervention or the control group and both groups were evaluated before the intervention, immediately after and by 6 months follow-up. Staff completed a questionnaire about job satisfaction (primary endpoint), stress of conscience and the person-centredness of care and of the environment (secondary endpoints). Linear regression models were used to identify the mean scores and to analyse group differences to test the effects of the intervention. Results: The intervention had no statistically significant effects on staff job satisfaction, level of stress of conscience or the perceived person-centredness of care and of the environment.

Effects of a staff education programme about person-centred care and promotion of thriving on relatives' satisfaction with quality of care in nursing homes: a multi-centre, non-equivalent controlled before-after trial.

BACKGROUND: As part of a nursing home intervention study, the aim of this paper was 1) to evaluate the effects of a staff education programme about person-centred care and promotion of thriving on relatives' satisfaction with quality of care and their perceptions of the person-centredness of the environment, and 2) to outline factors of importance to explain the variance in relatives' satisfaction with quality of care. Relatives are often referred to as vital for the operationalisation of person-centredness in nursing homes, representing an important source of information for care planning and quality of care assessments. However, the evidence for effects of person-centredness in nursing homes on relatives' experiences is sparse and little is known on what could explain their satisfaction with the quality of care. METHODS: A multi-centre, non-equivalent controlled group before-after design with study sites in Australia, Norway and Sweden. Staff in the intervention group participated in a 14-month education on person-centredness, person-centred care, thriving and caring environment. Staff in the control group received a one-hour lecture before the intervention period. Data were collected at baseline, after the intervention and six months after the end of the intervention, and analysed using descriptive statistics, a generalised linear model and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: In general, relatives from both the intervention and control nursing homes were satisfied with the quality of care, and no statistically significant overall between-group-effects of the intervention were revealed on satisfaction with quality of care or perceptions of the person-centredness of environment. A person-centred environment in terms of safety and hospitality were identified as factors of prominent importance for the relatives' satisfaction with the quality of care. CONCLUSION: The findings of this paper provide a foundation for future research in terms of intervention design in nursing home contexts. Staff availability, approachability, competence and communication with relatives may be important factors to consider to improve quality of care from the perspective of relatives, but more research both with and for relatives to people living in nursing homes is necessary to identify the keys to success. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov- NCT02714452 . Registered on March 19, 2016.

Well-being and thriving in sheltered housing versus ageing in place: Results from the U-age sheltered housing study.

AIMS: To explore to what extent type of residence (sheltered housing or ageing in place) contributes to thriving and well-being in older adults, when controlling for age, sex, living alone, being a widow and adjusting for functional status, self-rated health, and depressive mood. DESIGN: A matched cohort study. METHODS: A self-report survey was sent out to a total population of residents in all sheltered housings in Sweden and a matched control group ageing in place (N = 3,805). The data collection took place between October 2016-January 2017. RESULTS: The interaction analyses related to thriving showed that with increasing level of depressive mood and decreasing levels of self-rated health and functional status, those residing in sheltered housing generally reported higher levels of thriving, as compared with those ageing in place. Well-being was not found to be significantly associated with type of accommodation. CONCLUSION: There may be features in sheltered housing that are associated with resident thriving especially among individuals with impairments of function, health or mood, although further studies are required to identify these specific features. IMPACT: This study informs staff and policymakers about thriving and well-being in sheltered housing accommodations. These findings may be used to further the development of sheltered housing accommodations.

Embodying person-centred being and doing: Leading towards person-centred care in nursing homes as narrated by managers.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore how managers describe leading towards person-centred care in Swedish nursing homes. BACKGROUND: Although a growing body of research knowledge exists highlighting the importance of leadership to promote person-centred care, studies focused on nursing home managers' own descriptions of leading their staff towards providing person-centred care is lacking. DESIGN: Descriptive interview study. COREQ guidelines have been applied. METHODS: The study consisted of semi-structured interviews with 12 nursing home managers within 11 highly person-centred nursing homes purposively selected from a nationwide survey of nursing homes in Sweden. Data collection was performed in April 2017, and the data were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Leading towards person-centred care involved a main category; embodying person-centred being and doing, with four related categories: operationalising person-centred objectives; promoting a person-centred atmosphere; maximising person-centred team potential; and optimising person-centred support structures. CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that leading towards person-centred care was described as having a personal understanding of the PCC concept and how to translate it into practice, and maximising the potential of and providing support to care staff, within a trustful and innovative work place. The findings also describe how managers co-ordinate several aspects of care simultaneously, such as facilitating, evaluating and refining the translation of person-centred philosophy into synchronised care actions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings can be used to inspire nursing home leaders' practices and may serve as a framework for implementing person-centred care within facilities. A reasonable implication of these findings is that if organisations are committed to person-centred care provision, care may need to be organised in a way that enables managers to be present on the units, to enact these strategies and lead person-centred care.

The meaning of working in a person-centred way in nursing homes: a phenomenological-hermeneutical study.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to illuminate the meaning of working in a person-centred way as experienced by staff in nursing homes. Insights into what working in a person-centred way mean for nursing home staff may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of what gives staff satisfaction in their work and support further development of person-centred care approach in nursing homes. METHODS: Interviews with 29 health care personnel who had participated in a one-year intervention focusing on person-centred care and thriving in three nursing homes in Australia, Norway and Sweden were performed, and a phenomenological-hermeneutical method was used to explore staffs' lived experiences of working in a person-centred way in nursing homes. RESULTS: For nursing home staff, working in a person-centred way meant that they were able to meet individual resident's needs and expressed preferences in close family-like relationships, understanding the residents' rhythms and preferences as the basis of the daily work plans and being able to do 'the little extra' for residents. Also, working in a person-centred way meant meeting shared goals by working towards a collective practice in collaborative teams. As a whole, the staffs' lived experiences of working in a person-centred way in nursing homes was interpreted to mean thriving at work as a psychological state in which individuals experience both a sense of vitality and learning. CONCLUSIONS: Working in a person-centred way means staff thriving at work in nursing homes. The results further indicate that delivering care by only focusing on routines and practical tasks and not on residents' preferences and well-being would inhibit thriving among nursing staff, leading to the potential for dissatisfaction with work.

The thriving of older people assessment scale: Psychometric evaluation and short-form development.

AIM: To evaluate the psychometric properties and performance of the 32-item Thriving of Older People Assessment Scale (TOPAS) and to explore reduction into a short-form. BACKGROUND: The 32-item TOPAS has been used in studies of place-related well-being as a positive measure in long-term care to assess nursing home resident thriving; however, item redundancy has not previously been explored. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: Staff members completed the 32-item TOPAS as proxy raters for a random sample of Swedish nursing home residents (N = 4,831) between November 2013 - September 2014. Reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis and item response theory-based analysis were undertaken. Items were systematically identified for reduction using statistical and theoretical analysis. Correlation testing, means comparison and model fit evaluation confirmed scale equivalence. RESULTS: Psychometric properties of the 32-item TOPAS were satisfactory and several items were identified for scale reduction. The proposed short-form TOPAS exhibited a high level of internal consistency (α = 0.90) and strong correlation (r = 0.98) to the original scale, while also retaining diversity among items in terms of factor structure and item difficulties. CONCLUSION: The 32-item and short-form TOPAS' indicated sound validity and reliability to measure resident thriving in the nursing home context. IMPACT: There is a lack of positive life-world measures for use in nursing homes. The short-form TOPAS indicated sound validity and reliability to measure resident thriving, providing a feasible measure with enhanced functionality for use in aged care research, assessments and care planning for health-promoting purposes in nursing homes.

Associations between person-centred climate and perceived quality of care in nursing homes: A cross-sectional study of relatives' experiences.

AIMS: To explore the extent to which a more person-centred climate could explain the variation in quality of care, as rated by relatives to nursing home residents in three countries. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, correlational, anonymous questionnaire study. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to 346 relatives to residents in six nursing homes in Australia, Norway and Sweden between April-June 2016. Relatives (N = 178) agreed to participate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: The results showed that the relatives' experiences of a more person-centred climate were associated with higher ratings of the quality of care. A person-centred climate of safety had the strongest unique association with the quality of care, explaining 14% of the variance in quality of care. In addition, the results indicated that the relatives in general were satisfied with the quality of care and that children to the residents rated the quality of care higher than partners or other relatives. CONCLUSION: This study advances the understanding of the relationship between person-centredness in nursing homes and quality of care, showing that person-centred climate aspects of safety and hospitality have a significant role in the quality of care as perceived by relatives. IMPACT: Person-centredness in nursing homes is often mentioned as a quality of care indicator, but the empirical evidence for this suggestion is limited. This study expanded the evidence-base for person-centredness as a significant aspect of relatives' experiences of the quality of care in nursing homes.

Residing in sheltered housing versus ageing in place - Population characteristics, health status and social participation.

Sheltered housing is a housing model that provides accessible apartments with elevated social possibilities for older people, which is expected to increase resident health and independence, reducing the need for care. As previous research on sheltered housing is scarce, the aim of this study was to explore the characteristics, health status and social participation of older people living in sheltered housing, compared to ageing in place. The study utilised baseline data from a matched cohort study survey on a nationally representative total population of residents in all sheltered housings in Sweden, and a matched control group (n = 3,805). The data collection took place between October 2016 and January 2017. The survey assessed functional capability using the Katz ADL and Lawton IADL scale, self-rated health using the EQ5D scale, and depressive mood using the GDS-4 scale. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, mean scores, independent t tests, p-values and effect sizes were utilised to compare the two groups. The results of the study show that older people living in sheltered housing, compared to ageing in place, had lower self-reported health (M = 64.68/70.08, p = <0.001), lower self-reported quality of life (M = 0.73/0.81, p = <0.001), lower functional status concerning activities of daily living (M = 5.19/5.40, p = <0.001), lower functional status concerning instrumental activities of daily living (M = 4.98/5.42 p = <0.001,), and higher probability of depressive mood (M = 0.80/0.58, p = <0.001). The results imply that residents in sheltered housing may have more care needs than those ageing in place. Further longitudinal comparative studies are needed to explore the impact residence in sheltered housing has on resident health and well-being.

Associations between job satisfaction, person-centredness, and ethically difficult situations in nursing homes-A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To explore the associations between job satisfaction and perceived person-centredness and ethically difficult situations among staff in nursing homes (NHs). BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that person-centredness and few ethically difficult situations can contribute positively to NH staff's job satisfaction. However, empirical evidence of these associations is lacking. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey design. METHOD: Nursing home staff (N = 341) in six NHs in Australia, Norway, and Sweden completed the questionnaire measuring job satisfaction, person-centredness, and ethically difficult situations. Data were collected between April - June 2016. Univariate analysis was used to describe the sample, one-way analysis of variance examined differences between variables. Bivariate correlation tested the relationships between variables and hierarchical multiple regression explored the extent to which person-centredness and ethically difficult situations could explain job satisfaction among staff. RESULTS: After controlling for socio-demographic variables in a regression model, three variables of person-centredness and "ethically difficult situations" were significantly associated with job satisfaction. A "climate of community" contributed the most, followed by the "amount of organizational and environmental support," "a climate of everydayness," and few "ethically difficult situations." CONCLUSION: The results support the theoretical foundation and previous findings suggesting that establishing NHs organizations based on person-centredness will increase staff job satisfaction. However, this is a cross-sectional study and the causality may go in both directions and should be further explored.

Resource use and its association to cognitive impairment, ADL functions, and behavior in residents of Swedish nursing homes: Results from the U-Age program (SWENIS study).

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate resource use and its association to cognitive impairment, activities of daily living, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in residents of Swedish nursing homes. METHODS: Data were collected in 2014 from a Swedish national sample of nursing home residents (n = 4831) and were collected by staff in the facility. The sample consists of all nursing homes in 35 of 60 randomly selected Swedish municipalities. Demographic data and data on resource use, cognitive and physical function as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms were collected through proxies. Descriptive statistics and regression modeling were used to investigate this association. RESULTS: We found that cognitive impairment, activities of daily living, and neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with 23 hours per week increase in total resource use versus cognitively intact persons. This was also the case for being dependent in activities of daily living. Being totally dependent increased the amount of resource use by 25 hours per week. The sex of a resident did not influence the resource use. Annual costs of resource use with no functional dependency were 359 685 SEK, and in severely cognitive impaired resident, the cost was 825 081 SEK. CONCLUSION: Being cognitively impaired as well as functionally dependent increases the resource use significantly in nursing homes. This has implications for differentiation of costs in institutional settings in health economic evaluations.

Job strain in nursing homes-Exploring the impact of leadership.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between nursing home managers' leadership, job strain and social support as perceived by direct care staff in nursing homes. BACKGROUND: It is well known that aged care staff experience high levels of job strain, and that aged care staff experiencing job strain are exposed to increased risk for adverse health effects. Leadership styles have been associated with job strain in the literature; however, the impact of perceived leadership on staff job strain and social support has not been clarified within nursing home contexts. DESIGN: This study had a cross-sectional design. METHODS: Participating staff (n = 3,605) completed surveys which included questions about staff characteristics, valid and reliable measures of nursing home managers' leadership, perceived job strain and social support. Statistical analyses of correlations and multiple regression analysis with interaction terms were conducted. RESULTS: Nursing home managers' leadership were significantly associated with lower level of job strain and higher level of social support among direct care staff. A multiple regression analysis including an interaction term indicated individual and joint effects of nursing home managers' leadership and social support on job strain. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing home managers' leadership and social support were both individually and in combination associated with staff perception of lesser job strain. Thus, nursing home managers' leadership are beneficial for the working situation and strain of staff. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Promoting a supporting work environment through leadership is an important implication for nursing home managers as it can influence staff perception of job strain and social support within the unit. By providing leadership, offering support and strategies towards a healthy work environment, nursing home managers can buffer adverse health effects among staff.

Organisational and environmental characteristics of residential aged care units providing highly person-centred care: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have empirically investigated factors that define residential aged care units that are perceived as being highly person-centred. The purpose of this study was to explore factors characterising residential aged care units perceived as being highly person-centred, with a focus on organisational and environmental variables, as well as residents' and staff' characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Residents (n = 1460) and staff (n = 1213) data from 151 residential care units were collected, as well as data relating to characteristics of the organisation and environment, and data measuring degree of person-centred care. Participating staff provided self-reported data and conducted proxy ratings on residents. Descriptive and comparative statistics, independent samples t-test, Chi2 test, Eta Squared and Phi coefficient were used to analyse data. RESULTS: Highly person-centred residential aged care units were characterized by having a shared philosophy of care, a satisfactory leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration and social support from colleagues and leaders, a dementia-friendly physical environment, staff having time to spend with residents, and a smaller unit size. Residential aged care units with higher levels of person-centred care had a higher proportion of staff with continuing education in dementia care, and a higher proportion of staff receiving regular supervision, compared to units with lower levels of person-centred care. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to target organisational and environmental factors, such as a shared philosophy of care, staff use of time, the physical environment, interdisciplinary support, and support from leaders and colleagues, to improve person-centred care in residential care units. Managers and leaders seeking to facilitate person-centred care in daily practice need to consider their own role in supporting, encouraging, and supervising staff.

Characteristics of highly rated leadership in nursing homes using item response theory.

AIM: To identify characteristics of highly rated leadership in nursing homes. BACKGROUND: An ageing population entails fundamental social, economic and organizational challenges for future aged care. Knowledge is limited of both specific leadership behaviours and organizational and managerial characteristics which have an impact on the leadership of contemporary nursing home care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHOD: From 290 municipalities, 60 were randomly selected and 35 agreed to participate, providing a sample of 3605 direct-care staff employed in 169 Swedish nursing homes. The staff assessed their managers' (n = 191) leadership behaviours using the Leadership Behaviour Questionnaire. Data were collected from November 2013 - September 2014, and the study was completed in November 2016. A two-parameter item response theory approach and regression analyses were used to identify specific characteristics of highly rated leadership. RESULTS: Five specific behaviours of highly rated nursing home leadership were identified; that the manager: experiments with new ideas; controls work closely; relies on subordinates; coaches and gives direct feedback; and handles conflicts constructively. The regression analyses revealed that managers with social work backgrounds and privately run homes were significantly associated with higher leadership ratings. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the five most important leadership behaviours that characterize those nursing home managers rated highest in terms of leadership. Managers in privately run nursing homes and managers with social work backgrounds were associated with higher leadership ratings. Further work is needed to explore these behaviours and factors predictive of higher leadership ratings.

A person-centred and thriving-promoting intervention in nursing homes - study protocol for the U-Age nursing home multi-centre, non-equivalent controlled group before-after trial.

BACKGROUND: The literature suggests that person-centred care can contribute to quality of life and wellbeing of nursing home residents, relatives and staff. However, there is sparse research evidence on how person-centred care can be operationalised and implemented in practice, and the extent to which it may promote wellbeing and satisfaction. Therefore, the U-Age nursing home study was initiated to deepen the understanding of how to integrate person-centred care into daily practice and to explore the effects and meanings of this. METHODS: The study aims to evaluate effects and meanings of a person-centred and thriving-promoting intervention in nursing homes through a multi-centre, non-equivalent controlled group before-after trial design. Three nursing homes across three international sites have been allocated to a person-centred and thriving-promoting intervention group, and three nursing homes have been allocated to an inert control group. Staff at intervention sites will participate in a 12-month interactive educational programme that operationalises thriving-promoting and person-centred care three dimensions: 1) Doing a little extra, 2) Developing a caring environment, and 3) Assessing and meeting highly prioritised psychosocial needs. A pedagogical framework will guide the intervention. The primary study endpoints are; residents' thriving, relatives' satisfaction with care and staff job satisfaction. Secondary endpoints are; resident, relative and staff experiences of the caring environment, relatives' experience of visiting their relative and the nursing home, as well as staff stress of conscience and perceived person-centredness of care. Data on study endpoints will be collected pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at a six-month follow up. Interviews will be conducted with relatives and staff to explore experiences and meanings of the intervention. DISCUSSION: The study is expected to provide evidence that can inform further research, policy and practice development on if and how person-centred care may improve wellbeing, thriving and satisfaction for people who reside in, visit or work in nursing homes. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data will illuminate the operationalisation, effects and meaning of person-centred and thriving-promoting care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov March 19, 2016, identifier NCT02714452 .