title: Theory-based practice in a major medical centre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This project was designed to improve care quality and nursing staff satisfaction.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Nursing theory structures thought and action as demonstrated by evidence of improvement in complex health-care settings. Nursing administrators selected Modelling and Role-Modelling (MRM) for the theory-based practice goal in their strategic plan.
  
  
  METHODS
  An action research approach structured implementation of MRM in a 1-year consultation project in 2001-2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quality of health care improved according to national quality assessment ratings, as well as patient satisfaction and nurse satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modelling and Role-Modelling demonstrated capacity to structure nursing thought and action in patient care in a major medical centre. Uniformity of patient care language was valued by nurses as well as by allied health providers who wished to learn the holistic MRM style of practice. The processes of MRM and action research contributed to project success.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A positive health-care change project was carried out in a large medical centre with action research. Introducing MRM theory-based practice was a beneficial decision by nursing administration that improved care and nurse satisfaction. Attention to nursing practice stimulated career development among the nurses to pursue bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Health Sciences Building, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. alligoodmar@ecu.edu
authors.forename: Martha Raile
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Alligood
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D009742:Nursing Theory; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016730:Program Development; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012381:Role Playing; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States