已发表论文

护理员在医养结合机构中的角色和影响:一项定性研究

 

Authors Song A, Yan X, Yao L, Shao M , Zhou H , Zhou N, Si H, Zhou J, Li X , Li Y

Received 24 October 2025

Accepted for publication 31 January 2026

Published 10 February 2026 Volume 2026:19 576618

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S576618

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3

Editor who approved publication: Dr Pavani Rangachari

Anni Song,1,* Xiaoling Yan,2,* Liqun Yao,3,* Mengwei Shao,4 Huiyue Zhou,1 Na Zhou,1 Huibin Si,1 Jiao Zhou,1 Xiaowan Li,1 Ying Li1 

1Nursing Department, Ninth People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China; 3Weifang Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Weifang, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Huiyue Zhou, Nursing Department, Ninth People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China, Email 17839930172@163.com Na Zhou, Nursing Department, Ninth People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China, Email 821410218@qq.com

Background: The Chinese government has implemented policies to establish integrated medical and elderly care services (IMECS) institutions and develop the nursing assistants (NAs) to alleviate healthcare workforce shortages. However, the role definition of NAs remains ambiguous. Insights from registered nurses (RNs) can help clarify their roles and impacts.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the roles and impacts of NAs in integrated medical and IMECS institutions.
Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling at the largest IMECS institution in Zhengzhou, Central China, from December 2024 to February 2025. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 RNs. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the interview data.
Findings: Four themes and twelve sub-themes emerged from the analysis: 1) role identity, 2) high role expectations, 3) role conflict, and 4) low role authorization.
Conclusion: While RNs value NAs’ contributions, challenges in training and competency lead to job instability and restricted practice. Tailored strategies are recommended, with future multi-center studies needed for broader validation.

Keywords: nursing assistant, qualitative study, older