Identification of factors influencing core competence promotion among professional nurses and midwives: A qualitative study using the COM-B model

Aim: To identify factors influencing a behaviour of improving core competencies among nurses and midwives in the Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital using the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COMB) model. Background: With the increasing number of women with pregnancy complications and the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses and midwives are being challenged and enhancing their core competencies is imperative to ensure highquality care. To develop effective intervention strategies, it is essential to systematically explore what influences nurses and midwives to improve their core competencies. To this end, this study applied the COM-B model of behavioural change. Design: Qualitative study using the COM-B model. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted in 2022 using face-to-face interviews, including 49 nurses and midwives. Topic guides for the interviews were developed based on the COM-B model. Transcribed verbatim interviews were analysed using deductive thematic analysis. Results: The COM-B model captures several factors. Capability factors included clinical knowledge and selfdirected learning abilities. Opportunity factors included professional education covering necessary clinical skills, adequate clinical practice, personalised training, available time, insufficient clinical learning resources, absence of scientific research resources and support from leadership. Motivational factors were access to longterm work, incentive policies based on individuals' work values and responses to upward social comparison. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that prior to developing intervention strategies to enhance the core competencies of nurses and midwives, processing barriers to nurses' and midwives' capabilities, opportunities and motivation can facilitate the implementation of interventions.