Level of knowledge of nurses and healthcare technicians regarding soft skills: An exploratory study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge level of nurses and healthcare technicians regarding soft skills (SS) and to identify the most crucial SS. Method: This is a quantitative exploratory study with an analytical focus, encompassing 350 nurses and healthcare technicians in the Souss-Massa region. Results: Approximately half of participants (49.7%) exhibited some understanding of SS, with only 12.3% having received any training on the subject. According to participants, the top 10 SS are communication, teamwork, stress management, problem-solving, conflict management, honesty, decision-making, adaptability, lifelong learning, and confidence. Additionally, the prediction model indicates a significant association between SS knowledge and experience (p < 0.001), academic level (p < 0.001), and SS training (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Nurses and healthcare technicians possess knowledge of SS despite the absence of formal training. Identifying the most important SS in this field is, therefore, invaluable for integration into training programmes for both healthcare professionals and students. Furthermore, additional studies are recommended on SS development and assessment.