Nurse-Authored Patents and Their Influencing Factors Analysis Among Oncology Nurses Based on the Structural Equation Model.

Aims: This study analysed the status of nurse-authored patents and their influencing factors. In particular, this study examined the effects of nurses' innovative behaviour and creative self-efficacy on nurse-authored patent output via structural equation modelling (SEM).

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: Nurses were recruited from one tertiary cancer hospital in Beijing, China. Among them, 352 oncology nurses completed the online versions of the Nurse Innovative Behavior Scale and Creative Self-Efficacy Scale in 2023.

Results: We collected a total of 332 valid questionnaires. Fifty-seven (17.2%) nurses had 1-3 patents, and only 6 (1.8%) had more than three patents. The final model revealed a chain reaction between creative self-efficacy, innovation behaviour and nurse-authored patent output (χ² = 11.962, df = 7, p = 0.102). Significant differences were observed in the number of nurse-authored patents and based on age, educational profile, professional title, length of service, position, participation in science and technology innovation training, and experience in project presentation (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Nurses still play a minor role in the field of medical technology innovation. It is necessary to promote innovative behaviour among nurses and improve their creative self-efficacy in terms of innovation.

Impact: Developing intervention strategies to encourage nurses to pursue clinical innovations is crucial for nursing managers and technological innovation promoters.