Correlates of nurse-reported health education competence through knowledge sharing in chinese hospitals

In China, nurses play a pivotal in delivering health education to patients and their families within medical facilities. Competence in health education is vital for enhancing patients' recovery and overall quality of life. This study investigates the instrumental roles of knowledge sharing behavior and perceived organizational support might be instrumental in bolstering nurses' health education competence. The aim is to ascertain the relationship between nurses' health education competence, knowledge sharing behavior, and perceived organizational support within the context of Chinese hospitals. This research employs a cross-sectional survey approach design, encompassing 1523 participants employed in tertiary general hospitals in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The evaluation tools included the Nurse Health Education Competence Instrument and questionnaires assessing knowledge sharing behavior and perceived organizational support. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and bootstrapping. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation among nurses’ health education competence, knowledge sharing behavior, and perceived organizational support. Perceived organizational support significantly influences health education competence, as evidenced by a β value of 0.333 and a p-value less than 0.001. Concurrently, perceived organizational support also significantly impacts knowledge sharing behavior, with a β value of 0.302 and a p-value less than 0.001. Additionally, knowledge sharing behavior significantly and positively affects health education competence, as indicated by a β value of 0.271 and a p-value less than 0.001. Furthermore, knowledge sharing behavior was identified as a partial mediator between nurses' health education competence and perceived organizational support, with an indirect mediating effect of 8.3%. Providing robust organizational support and fostering an environment conducive to knowledge sharing can significantly enhance nurses’ health education practices, ultimately benefiting patients.