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Nursing practice environment in Primary Health Care: a scoping review

Ambiente de la práctica de enfermería en Atención Primaria a la Salud: revisión de alcance (scoping review)

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To examine the scientific evidence about the nursing practice environment in Primary Health Care.

Methods:

Three-step scoping review. 1) An initial research on CINAHL and MEDLINE. 2) A broader search using the same keywords and search terms in the remaining EBSCOHost platform databases. 3) Search the bibliographical references of the selected articles. The studies selected were from 2007 to 2018.

Results:

19 articles were included, most reported findings of the nursing practice environment and results for clients, nurses, nurse managers and the efficiency of organizations, in Primary Health Care.

Conclusion:

Improving the environment of nursing practice has consequences on the quality of nursing care, with increased results for clients, nursing and Primary Health Care.

Descriptors:
Nursing; Health Services Administration; Work Environment; Primary Health Care; Review

RESUMEN

Objetivo:

Examinar la evidencia científica acerca del ambiente de la práctica de enfermería en la Atención Primaria d a la Salud.

Métodos:

Revisión de alcance (scoping review) de la literatura en 3 etapas: 1) Una investigación inicial en la CINAHL y MEDLINE. 2) Una búsqueda más amplia utilizando las mismas palabras clave y términos de búsqueda en las bases de datos restantes de la plataforma EBSCOHost. 3) Buscar las referencias bibliográficas de los artículos seleccionados. Los estudios seleccionados han sido de 2007 a 2018.

Resultados:

Han sido inclusos 19 artículos, la mayoría relacionó hallazgos del ambiente de la práctica de enfermería y resultados para clientes, enfermeros, gerentes de enfermería y la eficiencia de las organizaciones, en Atención Primaria a la Salud.

Conclusión:

Mejorar el ambiente de la práctica de enfermería tiene consecuencias en la calidad de los cuidados de enfermería, con mayores resultados para los clientes, la enfermería y la Atención Primaria a la Salud.

Descriptores:
Enfermería; Administración de los Servicios de Salud; Ambiente Laboral; Atención Primaria a la Salud; Revisión

RESUMO

Objetivo:

Examinar a evidência científica acerca do ambiente da prática de enfermagem na Atenção Primária à Saúde.

Métodos:

Revisão scoping da literatura, com 3 etapas: 1) uma pesquisa inicial na CINAHL e MEDLINE; 2) uma pesquisa mais ampliada, utilizando as mesmas palavras-chave e termos de pesquisa, nas bases de dados restantes da plataforma EBSCOHost; 3) pesquisa nas referências bibliográficas dos artigos selecionados. Os estudos selecionados foram do período entre 2007 e 2018.

Resultados:

Foram incluídos 19 artigos; a maioria relatou achados do ambiente da prática de enfermagem e resultados para os clientes, para os enfermeiros, para os enfermeiros gerentes e para a eficiência das organizações, na Atenção Primária à Saúde.

Conclusão:

Melhorar o ambiente da prática de enfermagem tem consequências na qualidade dos cuidados de enfermagem, com aumento de resultados para os clientes, para a enfermagem e para a Atenção Primária à Saúde.

Descritores:
Enfermagem; Administração de Serviços de Saúde; Ambiente de Trabalho; Atenção Primária à Saúde; Revisão

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge and scientific evidence about nursing practice environments (NPE) in the context of Primary Health Care (PHC) is scarce11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
.

Policy makers, health and professional organizations have proposed to redesign the health system in PHC with the aim of increasing citizens’ accessibility, improving customer outcomes and maximizing efficiency11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
.

The aging of the population and the chronicity of many diseases cause an increase in demand for both PHC 11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
consequently, by nurses22 Margolius D, Bodenheimer T. Transforming primary care: from past practice to the practice of the future. Health Aff. 2010;29(5):779-84. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2010.0045
https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2010.004...
, so that the needs of these customers are attended to.

The International Council of Nurses33 International Council of Nurses (ICN). Uma força para Mudar Um Recurso Vital para a Saúde. Geneve: International Council of Nurses[Internet]. 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5]. Available from: https://www.ordemenfermeiros.pt/arquivo/publicacoes/Documents/Kit_DIE_2014_VF_2_proteg.pdf
https://www.ordemenfermeiros.pt/arquivo/...
) considers that there is a critical shortage of nurses, that motives are complex and varied, being, amongst the main ones, the unfavorable environments, which weaken the performance or contribute to the alienation and absent-mindedness of nurses and, all too often, distance them from work environments specific or profession33 International Council of Nurses (ICN). Uma força para Mudar Um Recurso Vital para a Saúde. Geneve: International Council of Nurses[Internet]. 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5]. Available from: https://www.ordemenfermeiros.pt/arquivo/publicacoes/Documents/Kit_DIE_2014_VF_2_proteg.pdf
https://www.ordemenfermeiros.pt/arquivo/...
. As such, in the last decade, the global shortage of nurses has had the consequence of increasing international academic interest in the NPE44 Jesus EH, Roque SMB, Amaral AFS. Estudo RN4CAST em Portugal: ambientes da prática de enfermagem. Rev Invest Enferm[Internet]. 2015 [cited 2019 Feb 5];13(2):26-44. Available from: http://www.sinaisvitais.pt/images/stories/Rie/RIE13_s2.pdf
http://www.sinaisvitais.pt/images/storie...
.

The practice of nursing care is developed in an environment of increasing complexity and stress for professionals55 Tomaszewska K, Klos A, Majchrowicz B. Influence of work environment on the quality of benefits provided by primary health care nurses. J Educ Health Sport. 2017;7(8):1191-1205. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1039369
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1039369...
. The stressful nature of nursing can lead to burnout, low productivity, absenteeism66 Garrett C. The effect of nurse staffing patterns on medical errors and nurse burnout. AORN J. 2008;87(6):1191-1204. doi: 10.1016/j.aorn.2008.01.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2008.01.0...
and, in the long run, contributes to the lack of staff44 Jesus EH, Roque SMB, Amaral AFS. Estudo RN4CAST em Portugal: ambientes da prática de enfermagem. Rev Invest Enferm[Internet]. 2015 [cited 2019 Feb 5];13(2):26-44. Available from: http://www.sinaisvitais.pt/images/stories/Rie/RIE13_s2.pdf
http://www.sinaisvitais.pt/images/storie...
,77 Leone C, Bruyneel L, Anderson JE, Murrells T, Dussault G, Henriques de Jesus É, et al. Work environment issues and intention-to-leave in Portuguese nurses: a cross-sectional study. Health Policy. 2015;119(12):1584-92. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.09.006.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2015...
, further aggravating the problem88 Shirey MR. Authentic Leaders Creating Healthy Work Environments for Nursing Practice. Am J Crit Care[Internet]. 2006; [cited 2019 Feb 5];15(3):256-67. Available from: http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/15/3/256.full.pdf+html
http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/15/...
.

Knowing the environments where the care practices take place, we are contributing to improve them and, consequently, promote the quality of nursing care. The NPE is related to job satisfaction, the quality of nursing care and the safety of the client99 Lake ET. Development of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index. Res Nurs Heal. 2002;25(3):176-88. doi: 10.1002/nur.10032.
https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.10032...
and, yet, with the effectiveness of care for clients and the efficiency of organizations. Thus, the study of this theme presents fundamental contributions to the health policies of the health systems of any country.

The study of the NPE is essential to diagnose how we can improve it, how we can promote the quality of care that nurses provide and, therefore, contribute to the improvement of clinical practice contexts1010 Lake ET. Measurement and Evidence. Med Care Res Rev. 2007;64(2):104S-122S. doi: 10.1177/1077558707299253
https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558707299253...
.

The quality of nursing care is an essential element in the profession and refers, among other points, to the direct relationship between the client and the nurse. It depends on many factors, mainly the NPE55 Tomaszewska K, Klos A, Majchrowicz B. Influence of work environment on the quality of benefits provided by primary health care nurses. J Educ Health Sport. 2017;7(8):1191-1205. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1039369
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1039369...
.

Lake defines the practice environment as the organizational characteristics of a work context that facilitate or constrain professional nursing practice99 Lake ET. Development of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index. Res Nurs Heal. 2002;25(3):176-88. doi: 10.1002/nur.10032.
https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.10032...
.

A favorable NPE leads to improved customer results, it is an essential factor for increasing nurses’ job satisfaction66 Garrett C. The effect of nurse staffing patterns on medical errors and nurse burnout. AORN J. 2008;87(6):1191-1204. doi: 10.1016/j.aorn.2008.01.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2008.01.0...
-77 Leone C, Bruyneel L, Anderson JE, Murrells T, Dussault G, Henriques de Jesus É, et al. Work environment issues and intention-to-leave in Portuguese nurses: a cross-sectional study. Health Policy. 2015;119(12):1584-92. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.09.006.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2015...
,99 Lake ET. Development of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index. Res Nurs Heal. 2002;25(3):176-88. doi: 10.1002/nur.10032.
https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.10032...
, being essential to maintain teams with safe staffing and retain nurses88 Shirey MR. Authentic Leaders Creating Healthy Work Environments for Nursing Practice. Am J Crit Care[Internet]. 2006; [cited 2019 Feb 5];15(3):256-67. Available from: http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/15/3/256.full.pdf+html
http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/15/...
.

On the other hand, poor NPEs, with a lack of management support, weak leadership and poor multidisciplinary relationship are associated with: decreased quality of care11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
; adverse events on customers11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
such as errors1111 Erickson JI. Overview and Summary: Promoting Healthy Environments - a Shared Responsability. OJIN. 2010;15(1): 117-20. doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No01ManOS
https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No01Ma...
; increased mortality and complications1212 Aiken LH, Sermeus W, Van Den Heede K, Sloane DM, Busse R, McKee M, et al. Patient safety, satisfaction, and quality of hospital care: Cross sectional surveys of nurses and patients in 12 countries in Europe and the United States. BMJ. 2012;344(7851):1-14. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e1717.13
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e1717.13...
-1313 Trinkoff AM, Johantgen M, Storr CL, Gurses AP, Liang Y, Han K. Nurses' work schedule characteristics, nurse staffing, and patient mortality. Nurs Res. 2011;60(1):1-8. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0b013e3181fff15d
https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0b013e3181ff...
; readmissions for complications1414 Ma C, Shang J, Stone P. "Can nurse work environment influence readmission risk?": a systematic review. Nurs Res Rev. 2014:(4):91-101. doi: 10.2147/NRR.S46156
https://doi.org/10.2147/NRR.S46156...
; rising health care costs1515 Lewis PS, Malecha A. The impact of workplace incivility on the work environment, manager skill, and productivity. J Nurs Adm. 2011;41(1):41-7. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0b013e3182002a4c
https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0b013e318200...
; ineffective provision of care, conflicts and stress among health professionals55 Tomaszewska K, Klos A, Majchrowicz B. Influence of work environment on the quality of benefits provided by primary health care nurses. J Educ Health Sport. 2017;7(8):1191-1205. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1039369
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1039369...
,1111 Erickson JI. Overview and Summary: Promoting Healthy Environments - a Shared Responsability. OJIN. 2010;15(1): 117-20. doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No01ManOS
https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No01Ma...
; professional dissatisfaction and increased turnover of nurses11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
,1616 Brazil K, Wakefield DB, Cloutier MM, Tennen H, Hall CB. Organizational culture predicts job satisfaction and perceived clinical effectiveness in pediatric primary care practices. Health Care Manage Rev. 2010;35(4):365-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0b013e3181edd957
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.0b013e3181ed...
-1717 De Milt DG, Fitzpatrick JJ, McNulty SR. Nurse practitioners' job satisfaction and intent to leave current positions, the nursing profession, and the nurse practitioner role as a direct care provider. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2011;23(1):42-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2010.00570.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7599.2010...
.

A safe NPE is characterized by good professional relationships among its members, management that supports nurses in the practice of care and balanced working hours1818 Copanitsanou P, Fotos N, Brokalaki H. Effects of work environment on patient and nurse outcomes. Br J Nurs. 2017;26(3):172-6. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2017.26.3.172
https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2017.26.3....
-1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
. It is also characterized by a balance between the workload and the skills of nurses, time to respond to client needs, professional autonomy, adequate resources and opportunities for professional advancement1818 Copanitsanou P, Fotos N, Brokalaki H. Effects of work environment on patient and nurse outcomes. Br J Nurs. 2017;26(3):172-6. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2017.26.3.172
https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2017.26.3....
-1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
.

The most important characteristics of a NPE in PHC are support and management support; leadership and management; good multidisciplinary relationships between nurses and doctors; and quality of care1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
-2020 Rabie T, Klopper HC, Coetzee SK. Creating positive practice environments in a primary health care setting. Int J Nurs Pract. 2017;23(4):1-8. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12555
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12555...
. Nurse managers play a key role in creating a favorable NPE88 Shirey MR. Authentic Leaders Creating Healthy Work Environments for Nursing Practice. Am J Crit Care[Internet]. 2006; [cited 2019 Feb 5];15(3):256-67. Available from: http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/15/3/256.full.pdf+html
http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/content/15/...
, positive1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
and promoting and providing quality care. They can also provide the necessary tools for the professional development of nurses and future managers2121 Gea-Caballero V, Castro-Sánchez E, Júarez-Vela R, Díaz-Herrera MÁ, de Miguel-Montoya I, Martínez-Riera JR. Elementos esenciales de los entornos profesionales enfermeros en Atención Primaria y su influencia en la calidad del cuidado. Enferm Clin. 2018;28(1):27-35. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2017.07.008
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2017.07...
. Leadership influences NPE2222 Weber E, Ward J, Walsh T. Nurse leader competencies: A toolkit for success. Nurs Manage. 2015;46(12):47-50. doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000473505.23431.85
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NUMA.00004735...
-2323 Balsanelli AP, Cunha ICKO. The work environment and leadership in nursing: an integrative review. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2014;48(5):934-40. doi: 10.1590/S0080-623420140000500022
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-6234201400...
. Without adequate skills and knowledge, it becomes difficult for nursing leaders to maintain a favorable practice environment1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
,2424 Watkins BS, Corley D, Cleeter D, Moe K, Brockopp D. Implementing a nurse leader: fellowship model. 2014;(July):53-55. doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000451038.15082.b7
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NUMA.00004510...
. The nurse manager is an engine of change on the path to excellence, organizing existing resources and creating a safe environment in nursing care2525 McSherry R, Pearce P, Grimwood K, McSherry W. The pivotal role of nurse managers, leaders and educators in enabling excellence in nursing care. J Nurs Manag. 2012;20(1):7-19. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2834.2011.01349.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2011...
.

The performance of nurses in PHC focuses on the treatment, rehabilitation and health promotion of clients, although these professionals have little time for health promotion and disease prevention in the daily care organization. They have a significant and recognized action in home care55 Tomaszewska K, Klos A, Majchrowicz B. Influence of work environment on the quality of benefits provided by primary health care nurses. J Educ Health Sport. 2017;7(8):1191-1205. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1039369
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1039369...
.

The characteristics of the NPE are modifiable factors and can be improved with political-administrative initiatives, namely: training of nurse managers; promote continuity of customer care; increase opportunities for nurses’ continuing education and expand opportunities for nurses to participate in organizational decisions2626 Flynn L, Liang Y, Dickson GL, Aiken LH. Effects of nursing practice environments on quality outcomes in nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010;58(12):2401-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03162.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010...
.

This way, it is urgent and a duty of nursing research to study the NPE in the context of PHC, especially because published studies on the subject are scarce. There is a need to investigate the NPE at other levels of health system care, in addition to the hospital context2525 McSherry R, Pearce P, Grimwood K, McSherry W. The pivotal role of nurse managers, leaders and educators in enabling excellence in nursing care. J Nurs Manag. 2012;20(1):7-19. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2834.2011.01349.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2011...
.

Considering that a favorable NPE is essential for the implementation of any health program in PHC and in the follow-up of health policies for that context, promoting the improvement of these environments is essential; it is a public service for citizens, health professionals and organizations.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the scientific evidence about the NPE in PHC.

METHODS

This scoping review has as guidelines the methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for scoping reviews2727 Peters MDJ, Godfrey CM, Khalil H, McInerney P, Parker D, Soares CB. Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. Int J Evid Based Healthc. 2015;13(3):141-6. doi: 10.1097/XEB.0000000000000050
https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.000000000000...
. The objective is to examine the scientific evidence about the NPE in PHC. The guiding question is: “How is the nursing care practice environment characterized in PHC?” According to JBI, the scoping analysis aim to provide a map of the scope of available evidence; and allow the identification of issues to help promote health and, in this case, evidence-based nursing care, increasing knowledge, identifying gaps and alerting to the need for further systematic reviews2727 Peters MDJ, Godfrey CM, Khalil H, McInerney P, Parker D, Soares CB. Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. Int J Evid Based Healthc. 2015;13(3):141-6. doi: 10.1097/XEB.0000000000000050
https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.000000000000...
.

The review question was formulated based on the PCC strategy, in which it was considered: Population (P), nurses; Concept (C), the NPE; Context (C), PHC or community. The types of sources used were quantitative and qualitative studies. Quantitative studies included observational and cross-sectional designs and psychometric validation, while qualitative studies were descriptive, associated with a quantitative design. Systematic literature reviews were meta-syntheses.

The research strategy aimed to find both published and unpublished studies. Three stages of research were used. The first stage was developed at CINAHL and MEDLINE, with an analysis of the descriptors contained in the titles and abstracts. In the second stage, in a broader search, the same descriptors and search terms were used in the remaining databases of the EBSCOHost platform. In the third stage, new studies were identified by searching the bibliographic references of all included articles. This review was limited to studies published in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

No time limit was defined, since it was intended to cover all the literature that addressed the topic in question2727 Peters MDJ, Godfrey CM, Khalil H, McInerney P, Parker D, Soares CB. Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. Int J Evid Based Healthc. 2015;13(3):141-6. doi: 10.1097/XEB.0000000000000050
https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.000000000000...
, due to the scarcity of this theme in the context of PHC. Thus, the articles obtained are limited to the period from 2007 to 2018.

The research was carried out in the following sources: CINAHL; MEDLINE; Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; LILACS; Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO); “Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal” (RCAAP - Open Access Scientific Repositories of Portugal).

The descriptors initially used in English were: Nursing Practice Environment OR Work Environment OR Nursing Practice OR Clinical Care Environment AND Primary Health Care OR Primary Care Settings OR Community Health Nursing OR Community Health Centers OR Primary Health Organization. Search terms were considered in the summary.

Full articles were considered for studies that contained the inclusion criteria for this review. In cases of doubt in the analysis of the abstracts, with regards to the relevance of studies, the full article was obtained.

The data were extracted from the articles included in the review, using a table for extracting the results, according to the purpose and question of the review and according to the JBI scoping review methodology2727 Peters MDJ, Godfrey CM, Khalil H, McInerney P, Parker D, Soares CB. Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. Int J Evid Based Healthc. 2015;13(3):141-6. doi: 10.1097/XEB.0000000000000050
https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.000000000000...
. The extraction table was organized by the following data: Author(s), Year of publication, Country; Title; Objectives; Study design; Study population/Sample size/Participants; Context; Relevant concept(s) of the review question/Measurement instrument(s); Main results.

Following the guidelines of Levac et al.2828 Levac D, Colquhoun H, O'Brien KK. Scoping studes: advancing the methodology. Implement Science. 2010;5(69):1-9. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-5-69
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-5-69...
, the data was obtained without disagreement between the reviewers, who did not consider it necessary to contact or ask the primary authors for information/clarification about the data, according to Arksey and O’Malley2929 Arksey H, O'Malley L. Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. Int J Soc Res Methodol. 2005;8(1):19-32. doi: 10.1080/1364557032000119616
https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119...
.

Figure 1 specifies the results of the analysis steps, following the PRISMA model of Flow Diagram3030 Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the Prisma Statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151:264-269. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135
https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-...
.

Figura 1
PRISMA diagram regarding the study selection process

RESULTS

After removing duplicate articles3030 Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the Prisma Statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151:264-269. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135
https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-...
, 285 studies were identified for review selection. A total of 46 articles met the inclusion criteria based on the verification of titles and abstracts. Once the full-text articles were obtained, they were then read and examined, so that 19 met the inclusion criteria, of which 16 exclusively in the context of PHC and 3 in a mixed context (PHC and hospital). In the end, this scoping review corresponded to the response of 4,383 nurses from the PHC context.

Europe had the largest number of publications, with 47.4%, and included Spain as the country with the highest number of publications, with 36.8%. America was represented only by the United States, with 15.8% of publications. Africa accounted for 21% of publications (South Africa and Nigeria); Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), 10.5%; and Asia, only one study, from China, corresponding to 5.3%.

The quantitative investigation method was adopted by 78.9% of the studies. Systematic literature reviews and 2 meta-syntheses were found and included in this study, totalling 68 studies.

By analyzing the results of the 19 articles, five thematic categories emerged: NPE assessment and job satisfaction; NPE and the recruitment and retention of nurses; The NPE and the results on the clients; Improvement of the NPE; and the NPE and professional development.

DISCUSSION

The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the scientific evidence about NPE in PHC. To answer this question, 17 primary studies were included. Although it was important to include systematic reviews, only two focused on the care context of this review, which are meta-syntheses3131 Poghosyan L, Boyd DR, Clarke SP. Optimizing full scope of practice for nurse practitioners in primary care: a proposed conceptual model. Nurs Outlook. 2016;64(2):146-55. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2015.11.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.1...
-3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
. The study of Poghosyan et al.3131 Poghosyan L, Boyd DR, Clarke SP. Optimizing full scope of practice for nurse practitioners in primary care: a proposed conceptual model. Nurs Outlook. 2016;64(2):146-55. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2015.11.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.1...
proposes a conceptual model to maximize the contributions of PHC nurses and understand how legislation and institutional policies influence, namely, the NPE. The review of Lambrou et al.3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
analyzes the related factors between NPE and job satisfaction in two contexts: PHC and hospital. These literature reviews examined scientific evidence for different purposes, but any mentions about the subject of the present scoping review. Thus, we consider the evidence presented in it to be of great worldwide scope.

The NPE should be the primary focus of concern for health systems to prevent crises in two areas: the shortage of nurses and the safety of clients1010 Lake ET. Measurement and Evidence. Med Care Res Rev. 2007;64(2):104S-122S. doi: 10.1177/1077558707299253
https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558707299253...
. The PES-NWI scale is an instrument that allows researchers to identify the contributions of the NPE to the results of nursing and clients99 Lake ET. Development of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index. Res Nurs Heal. 2002;25(3):176-88. doi: 10.1002/nur.10032.
https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.10032...
,1010 Lake ET. Measurement and Evidence. Med Care Res Rev. 2007;64(2):104S-122S. doi: 10.1177/1077558707299253
https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558707299253...
and produce consistent and comparable evidence1010 Lake ET. Measurement and Evidence. Med Care Res Rev. 2007;64(2):104S-122S. doi: 10.1177/1077558707299253
https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558707299253...
. As demonstrated by Lake1010 Lake ET. Measurement and Evidence. Med Care Res Rev. 2007;64(2):104S-122S. doi: 10.1177/1077558707299253
https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558707299253...
, PES-NWI allows to expand reflection and knowledge in all conceptual domains1010 Lake ET. Measurement and Evidence. Med Care Res Rev. 2007;64(2):104S-122S. doi: 10.1177/1077558707299253
https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558707299253...
. This instrument is also valid to measure the fundamental variables of the NPE in PHC and also allows to evaluate, analyze and reorient the practices of nurses in this context of care3333 De Pedro-Gómez J, Morales-Asencio JM, Sesé-Abad A, Bennasar-Veny M, Pericas-Beltran J, Miguélez-Chamorro A. Psychometric testing of the Spanish version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index in a primary healthcare context. J Adv Nurs. 2011;68(1):212-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05730.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011...
.

The articles selected for this scoping review used the following measurement instruments: Practice Environment Scale-NWI, in 47.7% of the studies; the scale Nursing Work Index-Revised, in 10.5%; the scale Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Organizational Climate Questionnaire, in 10.5%; the scale Nursing Context Index, in 5.3%; the scale Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, in 5.3%; and the scale Word Health Professions Alliance Scale, in 5.3%. The Practice Environment Scale-NWI remains the most used NPE measurement tool1010 Lake ET. Measurement and Evidence. Med Care Res Rev. 2007;64(2):104S-122S. doi: 10.1177/1077558707299253
https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558707299253...
.

The APE is the most influential factor and has the greatest impact on nursing outcomes and on the perceptions of the quality of care and client safety. These issues are particularly important in the context of the global crisis that has affected countries in recent years3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
.

There are distinctions between the NPE in the hospital context for that of the PHC context3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
. Secondly the study of Poghosyan et al.3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
is an example of the type of decision making, the relationship between team members and the organizational processes. It is important to reconcile the knowledge of these differences with what those authors3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
) consider essential in the context of PHC, which is the learning to promote favorable environments on the part of all nurses. It is important that nurses understand the mechanism of action between the NPE and the implications both in the results of organizations and clients, and in the consequences for the professionals themselves.

Nurses occupy a central position in PHC3535 Ayamolowo SJ, Irinoye O, Oladoyin MA. Job Satisfaction and Work Environment of Primary Health Care Nurses in Ekiti State, Nigeria: an Exploratory Study. Int J Caring Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2019 Feb 5];6(3):531-43. Available from: http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/27.%20Ayamolowo%20.pdf
http://internationaljournalofcaringscien...
, and managers can compare the results of NPE assessments between various health organizations to implement distinct improvements99 Lake ET. Development of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index. Res Nurs Heal. 2002;25(3):176-88. doi: 10.1002/nur.10032.
https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.10032...
.

Assessment of the Nursing Practice Environment and Professional Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is affected by the NPE, more than any other factor3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
,3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
. The NPE consists of the fundamental organizational factor3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
, which has a strong impact on the organization’s exit intention decisions3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
,3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
. If nurses have support and management support1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
,3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
and greater visibility of their interventions, they are more likely to be more satisfied3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
. It is through an NPE favorable to the practice in PHC that there is greater professional satisfaction3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
-3535 Ayamolowo SJ, Irinoye O, Oladoyin MA. Job Satisfaction and Work Environment of Primary Health Care Nurses in Ekiti State, Nigeria: an Exploratory Study. Int J Caring Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2019 Feb 5];6(3):531-43. Available from: http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/27.%20Ayamolowo%20.pdf
http://internationaljournalofcaringscien...
,3737 Halcomb EJ, Davidson PM, Caldwell B, Salamonson Y, Rolley JX. Validation of the professional practice environment scale in australian general practice. J Nurs Scholarsh. [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2019 Feb 5];42(2):207-13. Available from: https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2010.01349.x
https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.co...

38 Wang Y, Dong W, Mauk K, Li P, Wan J, Yang G, et al. Nurses' practice environment and their job satisfaction: A study on nurses caring for older adults in Shanghai. PLoS One. 2015;10(9):1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138035
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.013...

39 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
-4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
. As for nurse managers, they must have freedom of choice of workplace and must evaluate and manage their workload in order to increase their job satisfaction.4141 Munyewende PO, Rispel LC, Chirwa T. Positive practice environments influence job satisfaction of primary health care clinic nursing managers in two South African provinces. Hum Resour Health[Internet], 2014 [cited 2019 Feb 5];12(1). Available from: https://human-resources-health.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1478-4491-12-27
https://human-resources-health.biomedcen...
.

Favorable NPE is important for mobilizing necessary resources quickly, for enabling good multidisciplinary relationships and for promoting the quality of nursing care3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
,3838 Wang Y, Dong W, Mauk K, Li P, Wan J, Yang G, et al. Nurses' practice environment and their job satisfaction: A study on nurses caring for older adults in Shanghai. PLoS One. 2015;10(9):1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138035
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.013...
. Nurses consider that there is a good NPE in PHC2020 Rabie T, Klopper HC, Coetzee SK. Creating positive practice environments in a primary health care setting. Int J Nurs Pract. 2017;23(4):1-8. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12555
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12555...
.

The Nursing Practice Environment and the recruitment and retention of nurses

The existence of favorable NPEs is a major constraint on the ease of recruitment, of the stability of the teams3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
and retention of professionals in PHC, aiming to meet conditions for the quality of care1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
,3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
-3535 Ayamolowo SJ, Irinoye O, Oladoyin MA. Job Satisfaction and Work Environment of Primary Health Care Nurses in Ekiti State, Nigeria: an Exploratory Study. Int J Caring Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2019 Feb 5];6(3):531-43. Available from: http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/27.%20Ayamolowo%20.pdf
http://internationaljournalofcaringscien...
,3737 Halcomb EJ, Davidson PM, Caldwell B, Salamonson Y, Rolley JX. Validation of the professional practice environment scale in australian general practice. J Nurs Scholarsh. [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2019 Feb 5];42(2):207-13. Available from: https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2010.01349.x
https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.co...
,4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
,4242 Hahtela N, Paavilainen E, McCormack B, Helminen M, Slater P, Suominen T. Nurses' perceptions of workplace culture in primary health care in Finland. Int Nurs Rev. 2015;62(4):470-8. doi: 10.1111/inr.12207
https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12207...
. One of the biggest challenges for healthcare organizations is to retain good professionals4242 Hahtela N, Paavilainen E, McCormack B, Helminen M, Slater P, Suominen T. Nurses' perceptions of workplace culture in primary health care in Finland. Int Nurs Rev. 2015;62(4):470-8. doi: 10.1111/inr.12207
https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12207...
. Another factor that contributes to their recruitment and retention is the improvement of the organizational culture in PHC4242 Hahtela N, Paavilainen E, McCormack B, Helminen M, Slater P, Suominen T. Nurses' perceptions of workplace culture in primary health care in Finland. Int Nurs Rev. 2015;62(4):470-8. doi: 10.1111/inr.12207
https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12207...
.

The appropriations are also related to the NPE3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
. There is an underuse of PHC nurses; if NPEs are improved in this context, professional retention will increase3131 Poghosyan L, Boyd DR, Clarke SP. Optimizing full scope of practice for nurse practitioners in primary care: a proposed conceptual model. Nurs Outlook. 2016;64(2):146-55. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2015.11.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.1...
-3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
,3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
,4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
. If the NPEs are not improved, there will continue to be high levels of turnover3131 Poghosyan L, Boyd DR, Clarke SP. Optimizing full scope of practice for nurse practitioners in primary care: a proposed conceptual model. Nurs Outlook. 2016;64(2):146-55. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2015.11.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.1...
,4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
.

The Environment of Nursing Practice and the results in clients

Policy makers, health and professional organizations have been proposing to redesign the health system in PHC with the aim of increasing citizens’ accessibility, improving results with clients and maximizing efficiency11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
.

Studying NPEs in PHC provides evidence on how to increase the quality of nursing care1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
,3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
-4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
and customer safety, how to improve obtaining results3535 Ayamolowo SJ, Irinoye O, Oladoyin MA. Job Satisfaction and Work Environment of Primary Health Care Nurses in Ekiti State, Nigeria: an Exploratory Study. Int J Caring Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2019 Feb 5];6(3):531-43. Available from: http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/27.%20Ayamolowo%20.pdf
http://internationaljournalofcaringscien...
,3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
and decrease customer complications2020 Rabie T, Klopper HC, Coetzee SK. Creating positive practice environments in a primary health care setting. Int J Nurs Pract. 2017;23(4):1-8. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12555
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12555...
,3131 Poghosyan L, Boyd DR, Clarke SP. Optimizing full scope of practice for nurse practitioners in primary care: a proposed conceptual model. Nurs Outlook. 2016;64(2):146-55. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2015.11.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.1...
, namely improving disease control and preventing associated risks3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
.

Improving the Nursing Practice Environment

There is little knowledge and scientific evidence about NPEs in the context of PHC(1, 39), which can affect the expansion of the profession11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
,1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
,4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
,4141 Munyewende PO, Rispel LC, Chirwa T. Positive practice environments influence job satisfaction of primary health care clinic nursing managers in two South African provinces. Hum Resour Health[Internet], 2014 [cited 2019 Feb 5];12(1). Available from: https://human-resources-health.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1478-4491-12-27
https://human-resources-health.biomedcen...
.

NPE is one of the variables with the greatest impact on the quality of care3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
. If NPEs are not improved, high levels of stress will continue, burnout e turnover3131 Poghosyan L, Boyd DR, Clarke SP. Optimizing full scope of practice for nurse practitioners in primary care: a proposed conceptual model. Nurs Outlook. 2016;64(2):146-55. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2015.11.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.1...
,4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
. Burnout is a consequence of unfavorable NPEs3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
.

Multidisciplinary relationships are a predictive factor for a good NPE3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
,3838 Wang Y, Dong W, Mauk K, Li P, Wan J, Yang G, et al. Nurses' practice environment and their job satisfaction: A study on nurses caring for older adults in Shanghai. PLoS One. 2015;10(9):1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138035
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.013...
. Favorable NPEs have implications for multidisciplinary relationships and the relationship with management/administration to obtain better results1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
,3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
,4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
,4343 González-Torrente S, Pericas-Beltrán J, Bennasar-Veny M, Adrover-Barceló R, Morales-Asencio JM, De Pedro-Gámez J. Perception of evidence-based practice and the professional environment of Primary Health Care nurses in the Spanish context: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2012;12(1). doi:10.1186/1472-6963-12-227
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-227...
. It appears that there are good multidisciplinary relationships, but that relations with the management bodies of PHC organizations must be improved11 Poghosyan L, Shang J, Liu J, Poghosyan H, Liu N, Berkowitz B. Nurse practitioners as primary care providers: Creating favorable practice environments in New York State and Massachusetts. Health Care Manage Rev. 2014;40(1):46-55. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000010
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
,3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
.

New strategies are needed to improve the NPE, which will lead to better quality of care provided, such as the allocation of more nursing human resources3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
,3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
-4040 Rabie T, Coetzee SK, Klopper HC. The nature of community health care centre practice environments in a province in South Africa. Afr J Nurs Midwifery [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2019 Feb 5]; 18(2):27-41. Available from: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sabinet/ajnm/2016/00000018/00000002/art00003
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/s...
,4444 Hansen C, Carryer J, Budge C. Public health nurses' views on their position within a changing health system. Nurs Prax New Zeal [Internet]. 2007[cited 2019 Feb 5]; 23(2):14-26. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654...
, resulting in more time for care and more material resources3838 Wang Y, Dong W, Mauk K, Li P, Wan J, Yang G, et al. Nurses' practice environment and their job satisfaction: A study on nurses caring for older adults in Shanghai. PLoS One. 2015;10(9):1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138035
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.013...
,4444 Hansen C, Carryer J, Budge C. Public health nurses' views on their position within a changing health system. Nurs Prax New Zeal [Internet]. 2007[cited 2019 Feb 5]; 23(2):14-26. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654...
.

The nurse managers, as they have an important role in improving the NPEs1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
-2020 Rabie T, Klopper HC, Coetzee SK. Creating positive practice environments in a primary health care setting. Int J Nurs Pract. 2017;23(4):1-8. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12555
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12555...
,3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
,4242 Hahtela N, Paavilainen E, McCormack B, Helminen M, Slater P, Suominen T. Nurses' perceptions of workplace culture in primary health care in Finland. Int Nurs Rev. 2015;62(4):470-8. doi: 10.1111/inr.12207
https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12207...
,4444 Hansen C, Carryer J, Budge C. Public health nurses' views on their position within a changing health system. Nurs Prax New Zeal [Internet]. 2007[cited 2019 Feb 5]; 23(2):14-26. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654...
, face challenges such as providing greater support and management support1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
,3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
,4444 Hansen C, Carryer J, Budge C. Public health nurses' views on their position within a changing health system. Nurs Prax New Zeal [Internet]. 2007[cited 2019 Feb 5]; 23(2):14-26. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654...
-4545 De Pedro-Gómez J, Morales-Asencio JM, Abad AS, Veny MB, Vives GA, Campaner CP. Entorno de práctica de los profesionales de enfermería y competencia para la incorporación de la evidencia a las decisiones: Situación en las Islas Baleares. Gac Sanit. 2011;25(3):191-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.11...
to their teams, with the development of effective leadership styles1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
,3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
,4343 González-Torrente S, Pericas-Beltrán J, Bennasar-Veny M, Adrover-Barceló R, Morales-Asencio JM, De Pedro-Gámez J. Perception of evidence-based practice and the professional environment of Primary Health Care nurses in the Spanish context: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2012;12(1). doi:10.1186/1472-6963-12-227
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-227...

44 Hansen C, Carryer J, Budge C. Public health nurses' views on their position within a changing health system. Nurs Prax New Zeal [Internet]. 2007[cited 2019 Feb 5]; 23(2):14-26. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18293654...
-4545 De Pedro-Gómez J, Morales-Asencio JM, Abad AS, Veny MB, Vives GA, Campaner CP. Entorno de práctica de los profesionales de enfermería y competencia para la incorporación de la evidencia a las decisiones: Situación en las Islas Baleares. Gac Sanit. 2011;25(3):191-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.11...
. In addition, they must intervene effectively in improving the NPE due to the concern to obtain results with customers2020 Rabie T, Klopper HC, Coetzee SK. Creating positive practice environments in a primary health care setting. Int J Nurs Pract. 2017;23(4):1-8. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12555
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12555...
,4141 Munyewende PO, Rispel LC, Chirwa T. Positive practice environments influence job satisfaction of primary health care clinic nursing managers in two South African provinces. Hum Resour Health[Internet], 2014 [cited 2019 Feb 5];12(1). Available from: https://human-resources-health.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1478-4491-12-27
https://human-resources-health.biomedcen...
, improving PHC organizational culture4242 Hahtela N, Paavilainen E, McCormack B, Helminen M, Slater P, Suominen T. Nurses' perceptions of workplace culture in primary health care in Finland. Int Nurs Rev. 2015;62(4):470-8. doi: 10.1111/inr.12207
https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12207...
as well as the organizational climate3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
,3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
.

Thus, there is a need for health policies aimed at promoting good NPEs in organizations3232 Lambrou P, Merkouris A, Middleton N, Papastavrou E. Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment in relation to job satisfaction: a review of quantitative studies. Heal Sci J [Internet], 2014[cited 2019 Feb 5];8(3):298-317. Available from: http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-perceptions-of-their-professional-practice-environment-in-relation-to-job-satisfaction-a-review-of-quantitative-studies.php?aid=2666
http://www.hsj.gr/medicine/nurses-percep...
,3636 Parro-Moreno A, Serrano-Gallardo P, Díaz-Holgado A, Aréjula-Torres JL, Abraira V, Santiago-Pérez IM, et al. Impact of primary care nursing workforce characteristics on the control of high-blood pressure: a multilevel analysis. BMJ Open. 2015;5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009126
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009...
.

The Nursing Practice Environment and professional development

The NPE in PHC is positive, despite the shortage of nurses2020 Rabie T, Klopper HC, Coetzee SK. Creating positive practice environments in a primary health care setting. Int J Nurs Pract. 2017;23(4):1-8. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12555
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12555...
. These have little participation in the management processes, which brings difficulties in their professional development2020 Rabie T, Klopper HC, Coetzee SK. Creating positive practice environments in a primary health care setting. Int J Nurs Pract. 2017;23(4):1-8. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12555
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12555...
.

A good NPE favors the autonomous component of the profession3333 De Pedro-Gómez J, Morales-Asencio JM, Sesé-Abad A, Bennasar-Veny M, Pericas-Beltran J, Miguélez-Chamorro A. Psychometric testing of the Spanish version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index in a primary healthcare context. J Adv Nurs. 2011;68(1):212-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05730.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011...
-3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
,3939 Parro Moreno A, Serrano Gallardo P, Ferrer Arnedo C, Serrano Molina L, De La Puerta Calatayud ML, Barberá Martín A, et al. Influence of socio-demographic, labour and professional factors on nursing perception concerning practice environment in Primary Health Care. Aten Primaria. 2013;45(9):476-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12....
,4545 De Pedro-Gómez J, Morales-Asencio JM, Abad AS, Veny MB, Vives GA, Campaner CP. Entorno de práctica de los profesionales de enfermería y competencia para la incorporación de la evidencia a las decisiones: Situación en las Islas Baleares. Gac Sanit. 2011;25(3):191-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.11...
and it is the best way to keep qualified, committed and motivated nursing teams1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
. It also favors the use of the best available knowledge and evidence-based practice4545 De Pedro-Gómez J, Morales-Asencio JM, Abad AS, Veny MB, Vives GA, Campaner CP. Entorno de práctica de los profesionales de enfermería y competencia para la incorporación de la evidencia a las decisiones: Situación en las Islas Baleares. Gac Sanit. 2011;25(3):191-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.11.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.11...
-4646 Pérez-Campos MA, Sánchez-García I, Pancorbo-Hidalgo PL. Knowledge, Attitude and use of evidence-based practice among nurses active on the internet. Invest Educ Enferm [In-ternet]. 2014 [cited 2019 Feb 5];32(3):451-60. Available from: http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/iee/v32n3/v32n3a10.pdf
http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/iee/v32n3/v...
.

In order to develop better NPEs, PHC organizations must provide conditions for the training of nurses, for the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills in communication, decision making and multidisciplinary collaboration3535 Ayamolowo SJ, Irinoye O, Oladoyin MA. Job Satisfaction and Work Environment of Primary Health Care Nurses in Ekiti State, Nigeria: an Exploratory Study. Int J Caring Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2019 Feb 5];6(3):531-43. Available from: http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/27.%20Ayamolowo%20.pdf
http://internationaljournalofcaringscien...
. Team cohesion and teamwork is an important factor in the NPE1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
, and the culture of in-service training improves the skills of nurses and all health professionals1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
.

The promotion of good NPEs must involve not only nurses in practice, but also nurse managers and organizations themselves3434 Poghosyan L, Liu J, Shang J, D'Aunno T. Practice environments and job satisfaction and turnover intentions of nurse practitioners: implications for primary care workforce capacity. Health Care Manage Rev. 2017;42(2):162-71. doi: 10.1097/HMR.0000000000000094
https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.000000000000...
as well as academia and research.

The presence of competent nurse managers in the decision-making bodies of organizations will influence the NPE and contribute to the efficiency of organizations3535 Ayamolowo SJ, Irinoye O, Oladoyin MA. Job Satisfaction and Work Environment of Primary Health Care Nurses in Ekiti State, Nigeria: an Exploratory Study. Int J Caring Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2019 Feb 5];6(3):531-43. Available from: http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/27.%20Ayamolowo%20.pdf
http://internationaljournalofcaringscien...
. The performance of nurse managers is fundamental for the organizational positioning in view of the necessary improvements in theNPE3535 Ayamolowo SJ, Irinoye O, Oladoyin MA. Job Satisfaction and Work Environment of Primary Health Care Nurses in Ekiti State, Nigeria: an Exploratory Study. Int J Caring Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2019 Feb 5];6(3):531-43. Available from: http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/27.%20Ayamolowo%20.pdf
http://internationaljournalofcaringscien...
.

With all these factors of knowledge about the NPE, nurse managers must take ownership of PHC management1919 Alves DFS, Guirardello EB. Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2016;37(2):e58817. doi: 10.1590/1983-1447.2016.02.58817
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2016.0...
.

Study limitations

Due to the specificity of the NPE theme and the PHC context as well as the respective scarcity of scientific evidence, a limitation of this study was that there were only two articles from the last two years of the research period, which correspond to 10.5% of the included studies. In relation to the last five years of the research period, the studies included were 63% of the total of the 19 included.

Contributions to the field of Nursing

There is a large knowledge gap about NPE in PHC. This literature review intends to contribute to increase this knowledge in the different areas of nurses’ performance: in the provision of care, in management, in research, in teaching and in consulting or advisory services.

CONCLUSION

This review provides evidence, which is scarce, about the NPE in the context of PHC and provides a service to nurses, nurse managers, academics, researchers and health policy makers, contributing to the improvement of the quality of nursing care - in particular, in the context of PHC.

The NPE is the most influential factor with the greatest impact on nursing outcomes and on the perceptions of the quality of care and client safety.

The NPE in the context of PHC is distinguished from the hospital context by the type of decision making, the relationship between team members and the organizational processes. Also, for promoting favorable environments that will contribute to increasing results with clients, nurses and organizations.

Important aspects of the NPE are the multidisciplinary relationship between nurses-doctors and nurses-managers-administrators as well as internal communication in organizations, so they should be promoted.

Poor NPEs hinder both the provision of nursing care and the use of all the skills and knowledge that nurses have and hinder the development and acquisition of new skills quickly. They also give rise to job dissatisfaction, difficulties in recruiting good professionals, burnout e turnover, with harmful consequences for organizations.

Nurse managers contribute strongly to favorable NPEs, need management training and develop these skills to support their teams, leading them, increasing their cohesion and promoting teamwork.

This review showed that the NPE in PHC has the following characteristics: support and management support; nursing leadership; multidisciplinary nurse-physician and nurse-manager-administration relations; results with customers, namely in customer safety; retention of good professionals; and improving the quality of nursing care.

Developing favorable NPEs in the services and in the different PHC units, anywhere in the world, is the best strategy to guarantee the safety of clients and the health of the professionals who care for them. Favorable NPEs are essential to promote excellence in nursing care; they have strong support from nurse managers to their teams; increase job satisfaction, decrease the burnout and turnover; contribute to improving the effectiveness of organizations. In addition, they guarantee a higher level of health, safety and well-being for professionals, with staffing of nurses suited to the needs of clients and the inherent workload. They promote the retention of good nurses; promote motivation through leadership relationships by their managers and leaders, thereby improving productivity and commitment to the organization. Favorable NPEs are more inclusive, generate innovation and intrapreneurship phenomena in organizations. Also, they promote improved service to citizens, improve the care they provide and increase results with customers. Besides, they affect the behavior, performance and results of organizations, teams, nurses and clients.

PHC human capital must increase in quantity and quality, it is essential to know and understand the NPE and how it can be improved. Evidence shows us that there should be investment in promoting favorable NPEs. Otherwise, PHC loses human capital, without which it cannot carry out its mission.

  • FUNDINGUniversidade Católica Portuguesa.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Nurse Maiko Barboza for linguistic adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese.

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Edited by

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Dulce Barbosa
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Hugo Fernandes

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    14 Aug 2020
  • Date of issue
    2020

History

  • Received
    08 Nov 2019
  • Accepted
    17 Apr 2020
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