Exploring the Determinants of Humanistic Care Competency in Chinese Infectious Disease Nurses Based on the HLM Model: Role of Psychological Capital and Organizational Environment

Background: The humanistic care competency of infectious disease nurses plays a crucial role in clinical nursing practice. However, there is a lack of research on its influencing factors in China. This study aims to explore the influencing factors of humanistic care competency among Chinese infectious disease nurses and provide a reference basis for improving their humanistic care competency. Methods: A stratified cluster sampling was conducted in 22 hospitals of the Chinese Infectious Disease Nursing Alliance. A total of 3135 infectious disease nurses were surveyed using self-designed questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was performed to examine the current level of humanistic care competency among infectious disease nurses. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between humanistic care competency, organizational environment, and psychological capital. A hierarchical linear model (HLM) was employed to investigate the effects of organizational-level organizational environment and individual-level psychological capital on humanistic care competency. Results: Significant differences in humanistic care competency scores were observed between male and female infectious disease nurses ( P ＜0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between humanistic care competency and both nurses' psychological capital and organizational environment ( P ＜0.05). The HLM analysis indicated that gender, participation in training, and psychological capital had positive effects on humanistic care competency, while organizational environment exerted a negative moderating effect. Conclusions: Nurses' psychological capital and the organizational environment of their departments influence their humanistic care competency. It is recommended that managers focus on enhancing and improving the organizational environment, strengthening psychological assessments and training. By fostering a positive psychological capital among nurses, their humanistic care competency can be stimulated.