Economic Awareness, Economic Knowledge, and Attitude toward Cost-Effectiveness in Nursing of Hospital Nurses

병원 간호사의 경제학적 지식과 태도에 관한 연구

Purpose : This study was designed to describe the economic awareness, economic knowledge, and attitude toward cost-effectiveness in nursing of hospital nurses. Method : The sample included 272 nurses conveniently selected from 5 tertiary care hospitals. Data were collected on general characteristics of nurses, the economic awareness level, the knowledge level of economics, and the attitude toward cost-effectiveness. Data were analyzed using SPSS PC version 10.0. Result : 1) The mean of economic awareness level of hospital nurses was 44.87 (SD=3.53) with a possible range of 5${\sim}$50. The mean of the knowledge level of economics was 58.3 (SD=11.9) with a possible range of 0${\sim}$100. 2) The mean of attitude toward cost-effectiveness in nursing was 39.95 (SD=5.01) with a possible range of 5${\sim}$50, which means moderately positive. 3) Analyzing the relationships between economic awareness level and knowledge level of economics, and attitude toward cost-effectiveness, the knowledge level of economics was positively related with the economic awareness level (r=.192, p=.002) and the attitude (r=.133, p=.029). The economic awareness level was positively related with the attitude (r=.470, p=.000). 4) Backward multiple regression revealed that the linear combination of economic awareness, job position, place of employment, and the presence of CQI committee accounted for 26.1% of the variance in the attitudes toward cost-effectiveness nursing care. Conclusion : Findings reveal that RNs lack basic knowledge of economics and its link to nursing practice, yet, they want a voice in economic decision making. In an effort to fill the void of economic knowledge and respond to nurses' call for greater input, in-service programs and curricula for generic programs must be developed.