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Creating and maintaining 'optimism' in cancer care communication
1Health Research Unit, School of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, University of Southampton, Hants, UK. nj1@soton.ac.uk
International Journal of Nursing Studies
|February 25, 2000
Summary
This study reveals that nurse-patient communication in cancer care is a shared effort. Both nurses and patients actively shape interactions, creating an optimistic tone as a feature of care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology Nursing
- Healthcare Communication
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Traditional views attribute power in nurse-patient communication to healthcare professionals.
- Nurse-patient interactions in cancer care are often perceived as superficial due to perceived communication skill deficits.
- Previous research has not fully explored the collaborative construction of communication dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nuances of nurse-patient communication within the cancer care setting.
- To challenge the traditional view of power dynamics in nurse-patient interactions.
- To identify and analyze the features of communication co-constructed by nurses and patients.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of interviews with nurses and patients.
- Analysis of audio-recorded nurse-patient conversations.
- Thematic analysis to identify communication patterns.
Main Results:
- Identified 'optimism,' characterized as 'constructive realism,' as a key communication feature.
- Demonstrated that both nurses and patients actively participate in shaping communication.
- Challenged the notion that superficiality in interactions stems solely from nurses' lack of skills.
Conclusions:
- Nurse-patient communication in cancer care is a jointly produced institutional feature.
- Optimistic and cheerful communication is actively created and maintained by both participants.
- Rethinking communication dynamics is crucial for understanding and improving cancer care experiences.