Nurses' Question and Explanation Strategies for Effective Communication with Cancer Patients

Lee, Hwa Jin

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify communication principles for nurses in cancer units according to Grice's theory.
METHODS
This study was a secondary analysis of qualitative research using conversational analysis.
RESULTS
The principles consisted of four maxims: Quality, quantity, relevance and manner and 14 strategies. For the quality maxim, 'asking what you believe to be true' and 'saying the facts you know' were strategies were identified. In the quantity maxim, the strategies were 'asking single questions', 'asking open questions' and 'asking optimistic questions'. In the relevance maxim, 'asking about the same theme' and 'giving relevant explanations' were the strategies identified. In the manner maxim, the strategies were 'using clear expressions in asking questions', 'asking in an orderly way', 'verifying answers', 'using clear expressions in explanations', 'explaining in an orderly way' and 'verifying understanding'.
CONCLUSION
It is expected that these strategies will help and increase the degree of cooperation for nurses in effectively communicating with cancer patients.