Results
Of the 567 responses, 497 were used in the data analysis. Seventy surveys with missing data
were eliminated from the analysis. The sample consisted of 419 RNs, 61 physicians and 17
residents. Based on the number of employed RNs, physicians and residents during this
survey time period, response rates were 16%, 14%, and 10%, respectively. Responses from
RNs and physicians/residents combined were adequate to support statistical analysis;
response rates are included in Table I.
The education level of the sample ranges from 14.8% with doctorate degrees to 37.2%
with associate degrees. Educational level variation was not evaluated as a possible factor in
the data analysis for this study. The majority of respondents (66.7%) were employees at the
largest hospital within the health system and were working within inpatient service areas
(71.2%). The sample reflects a range in employment from less than 6 years (31.6%) to
greater than 41 years (1.4%). Respondent ages ranged from 20 to over 70, with 84% of the
sample 30 to 60 years of age. Demographic details of the sample are included in Table II.
This sample is reflective of the organization’s demographic characteristics.
The Jefferson Scale of Attitudes toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration was initially
developed for use with medical students and nursing students however, the tool has been
used for practicing physicians and RNs within the United States and internationally