[Talk of enlightenment and information in the hospital]

The aim of this descriptive study was to identify the situation of conversation between hospital nurses and physicians and their patients about diagnosis and illness and to unweave the structure of communication in the interdisciplinary team that influences the personel's behaviour in the conversation. The rate of rebound in this postal debriefing amounted to 42 percent. 144 nurses from nursing and 46 medical staff participated. The examination showed that there are influencing factors, shown as formal (ward round, committing conversations, team conversations and documentation systems) and informal (colleagues and flair) structure of communication. In consequence of the non-homogenous structure of communication the hospital staff is not homogenous informed about the awareness of patients concerning diagnosis and illness. That's why hospital staff is without self-confidence in conversations with patients and avoids talks. Furthermore, a lack in teaching communication skills was revealed both in medical and nursing education and it became evident that nursing staff are not yet informed about juridical aspects of information talks. A documentation of patient's information status enables a congruent and authentic contact between staff and patient.