Patient ‐ Centred Quality of Nursing Care : A Cross‐Sectional Study of the Level and Associated Factors as Perceived by Patients

AIM: To produce evaluative knowledge on the patient-centred quality of nursing care and factors related to it from the perspective of hospitalized patients in Finland. DESIGN: A cross-sectional explorative study. REVIEW METHODS: Survey instrument included the structured, internationally validated Good Nursing Care Scale (40 items) (Leino-Kilpi 2025), General Evaluation of the Quality of Nursing Care (5 items) and background factors (15 items). The data were statistically analysed. DATA SOURCES: Data were collected between May and July 2025 from hospitalized adult patients (N = 861), from two wellbeing services counties in Finland. RESULTS: Patients evaluated the quality of nursing care high: subcategories of Good Nursing Care Scale (Median 3.80-3.00, Scale 1-4), The General Evaluation of the Quality of Nursing (Median 9, Scale 4-10) and Patient educational support (Median 3.46, Scale 1-4). Lowest ratings were in the collaboration with the family/significant others. Identified statistically associated factors were patients´ work status and health status on the day of discharge, and sufficient information prior hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The results both confirm existing knowledge and identify development needs in conceptual, methodological and clinical fields. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: The research has implications both on the patient and organizational levels, including role of the patients and leadership of nursing quality. IMPACT: The public social and healthcare reform underscores the need for quality evaluation in Finland. The research showed the patient-centred quality of nursing care in hospital being high, but identified areas for development. The findings may impact on nursing practice, nursing education and healthcare organizations. REPORTING METHOD: Reported in accordance with the STROBE guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients were voluntary respondents in the study.