Barriers to nurses' participation in decision-making at Batra Hospital and Medical Research Center, New Delhi, India: A cross-sectional study

Nurse participation in decision-making is crucial for quality patient care and professional satisfaction. However, various barriers impede effective nurse involvement in hospital decision-making processes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the barriers to nurses' participation in decision-making at Batra Hospital and Medical Research Center in New Delhi, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 nurses selected through stratified random sampling from Batra Hospital and Medical Research Center, a 500-bed tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India. Data were collected using a structured 40-item self-administered questionnaire adapted from validated instruments. The study identified five major categories of barriers: organizational (73.5%), managerial (68.0%), communication-related (65.5%), individual (52.5%), and professional (48.0%). Hierarchical organizational structure (85.5%), lack of time due to workload (78.5%), and inadequate communication channels (71.0%) emerged as the most significant barriers. Significant associations were found between years of experience and perceived organizational (P=0.042), managerial (P=0.038), individual (P=0.001), and professional barriers (P=0.012). Multiple interconnected barriers limit nurse participation in decision-making at this tertiary care hospital. Addressing these barriers requires systemic changes, including restructuring hierarchies, improving communication channels, providing training opportunities, and fostering a culture that values nurses' input in decision-making processes.