title: Factors influencing hospitalized patients' perception of individualized nursing care: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individualized care is a cornerstone of patient-centered nursing care. To foster individualized care, influencing factors should be known. The aim of this study was to identify the individual and organizational factors influencing hospitalized patients' perception of individualized care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted of 606 patients from 20 wards from five hospitals across Germany. Individualized care and potential influencing factors were assessed via structured questionnaires. To identify influencing factors, we applied a hierarchical linear model with two levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-rated health, length of ward stay, educational level and shared decision-making process about nursing care were perceived to influence individualized care. A higher rating of health and longer ward stay correlated with improved perceptions of individualized nursing care. In addition, an educational level of nine or fewer years and a perceived shared decision-making process about nursing care positively influenced the perception of nursing care as being tailored to individual needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several factors influence patients' perception of individualized care. However, only the decision-making process can be actively influenced by nurses. Therefore, nurses should be encouraged to promote shared decision-making regarding patients' nursing care.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  DRKS00005174 (Date of registration: 2013/08/01).
authors.affiliation: Institute for Quality Management and Social Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Engelbergerstr. 21, 79106 Freiburg, Germany ; Pflegedirektion, Heart Center - University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Köberich
authors.affiliation: Quality and Development in Nursing Care, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 62, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feuchtinger
authors.affiliation: Institute for Quality Management and Social Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Engelbergerstr. 21, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Farin
keywords: Cross-sectional study; Germany; Hospital; Individualized care; Influencing factors; Patient-centered nursing care