The Reflections of the Communication Style on Patient Satisfaction and Nurses' Perceptions of the Profession

Abstract

Objective: Nurses need to know and apply interpersonal communication techniques to provide care to individuals in a manner that respects their rights and privacy within their unique characteristics, personality, and integrity. The study aimed to experimentally reveal and do an in-depth examination of nurses' formal and informal address and communication style on patient satisfaction with nursing care and nurses' perceptions of the profession. Methods: This study used a quantitative-qualitative mixed method. The sample of the quantitative study consisted of 12 nurses and 32 patients. The data collection form for patients and nurses, Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale, and Perception of Nursing Profession Scale were used to collect quantitative data. The qualitative study involved in-depth interviews were conducted with six nurses and seven patients in total. Results: It was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between the form of address and satisfaction with nursing care and nurses' perception of the nursing profession. In-depth interviews revealed that nurses considered the informal form of address as part of care. The patients stated that the use of the informal form of communication enhanced their compliance with treatment. Conclusions: A formal form of address should be used when patients are first met, patients should be asked how they would like to be addressed in the continuation of the care process, and nurses should be addressed to patients according to patients' request.