SPECIAL SESSION: Selecting Variables of Study Aligned with Models of Caring

Description/Overview: This session will have two sub-sessions each reviewing a unique model of care. The first model of care, Caring Behaviors Assurance System (CBAS), is currently being used in about 50% of the National Health Service (NHS) of Scotland. Caring, as proposed by Swanson’s theory, was selected as a construct for measurement as it is proposed as a primary variable of quality of care. Development of a context of caring, using a formal model of care to structure operations and data analyses, was proposed to positively impact both patients and employees. A key strategy to make caring real operationally is use of a Patient-Centered Care Quality Instrument (PCQI) form. Staff select a specific behavior from the PCQI to operationalize on their respective ward or department. Caring and quality as reported by patients and staff will be reviewed in this session as it relates to use of the PCQI. This session will review the current model of research that has been developed and refined over the last 30 months as concept and operations of caring are more clearly understood in relationship to outcomes of quality care. The second sub-session will review a study from within the context of Relationship Based Care. Participants within a caring science research program in this acute care hospital in Michigan have been working within the context of Relationship Based Care. Similar to the NHS of Scotland, a model of research has been taking form and refined as the model of RElatioship Based Care has been implemented. During the development of research and operations of caring science, it became clear that the construct of civility needed to be studied. This understanding became clear as staff and managers evaluated the initial data in consideration of relational and environment challenges of the work environment. This session will review what was discovered regarding the relationship of civility with the work environment and outcomes of quality and caring.