Focus on communication: increasing the opportunity for successful staff-patient interactions

mcgilton k., sorin‐peters r., sidani s., rochon e., boscart v. & fox m. (2010) Focus on communication: increasing the opportunity for successful staff–patient interactions. International Journal of Older People Nursing 6, 13–24 doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2010.00210.x Objectives. This study reports on a pilot study examining the feasibility of a Patient‐Centred Communication Intervention. Aims of this study include: assessing the implementation of the communication care plans; identifying staff perceptions of the intervention; exploring changes in patients’ perceptions of care and psychosocial functioning; and exploring changes in nurses’ knowledge of and attitude towards communication with patients. Background. More than 50% of stroke survivors have speech and language impairments. Many nurses lack the specialized skills to effectively communicate with patients and therefore have difficulties understanding the patients’ needs. Design. A one‐group pre‐ post‐test design supplemented with a focus group session with nursing staff was used. The intervention consisted of developing individualized communication plans; attending at a workshop; and implementing a system to support nurses when using the plans. The plans were used over a 2‐month period. Focus groups were held with seven nurses. Results. The pilot study demonstrated feasibility. There was an excellent response rate and nurses adhered to the intervention. Conclusion. The Patient‐Centred Communication Intervention is feasible and has demonstrated potential for a larger‐scale study. Relevance to clinical practice. Providing tailored approaches to communication‐enhancement education may be necessary for changes in practice to occur.