article · NSC Nursing
Background: Soft skills underpin safe, patient-centered nursing care, yet empirical evidence describing these competencies in Moroccan provincial hospitals remains limited. Objective: To assess soft skills levels among nurses, midwives, and health technicians at Hassan I Provincial Hospital (Tiznit, Morocco) and examine associations with sociodemographic and professional characteristics. Results: In a census-based cross-sectional survey (15 May–3 June 2023), 77 of 113 eligible staff participated (response rate: 68.1%). Soft skills were measured using an adapted 25-item Soft Skills Questionnaire (5-point Likert scale; overall Cronbach’s α = 0.90) covering communication, emotional intelligence, management, and confidentiality. The mean overall soft skills score was 79.05 (SD = 8.69) on a 25–125 scale (scale midpoint: 75; observed range: 58–102). Communication was the strongest domain (mean = 48.52/60), whereas emotional intelligence was the lowest (mean = 8.48/15). Confidentiality showed notable gaps (mean = 16.83/30), with 31.2% reporting occasional unsafe handling of patient files. Bivariate analyses comparing low/medium/high soft skills categories did not show statistically significant differences across participant characteristics (all p > 0.05), although descriptive patterns were observed. In multivariable linear regression (outcome: overall soft skills score), higher scores were independently associated with prior soft skills training (B = 4.80; p = 0.001), greater professional experience (B = 0.45; p = 0.048), and working in departments other than the medical unit (B = 3.25; p = 0.021), while night work was associated with lower scores (B = −2.10; p = 0.034) (adjusted R² = 0.42; model p < 0.001). Conclusion: Overall soft skills scores were slightly above the scale midpoint, with strengths in communication but weaknesses in emotional intelligence and confidentiality practices. Structured continuing professional development—especially targeted soft skills training—along with supportive organizational measures may strengthen non-technical competencies and improve quality of care in Moroccan provincial hospitals.
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DOI: 10.32549/opi-nsc-136
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