Korean J Adult Nurs.  2017 Apr;29(2):166-176. 10.7475/kjan.2017.29.2.166.

Differences between Nurses and Patients' Perception of Nurses' Communication Skills

• Park S

• KMID: 2378870
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2017.29.2.166

Abstract

PURPOSE
The study aimed to assess differences between nurses' and patients' perception of the communication skills to promote patients' health literacy in a hospital.
METHODS
The convenience sample consisted of 150 patients and 169 nurses in a university hospital. The data were collected from January to February 2014 using the Communication Skills Scale for Hospital nurses and patients. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Lin's concordance were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
There were significant differences (t=9.44, p<.001) between the perception of nurses (8.18±2.00) and patients (5.49±2.95) on the communication skills used by nurses. Most nurses (3.87±0.39) perceived that the communication skills were effective, but more patients (4.13±0.62) reported significantly higher scores (t=−4.34, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
The results implied that nurses need to make sure that their communication skills are effective when they communicate with patients, and education programs for nurses to develop the advanced communication skills would be necessary.

MeSH Terms

Education
Health Literacy
Humans

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. Scatter diagrams of use, experience, perceived effects of communication skills in nurses and patients.

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