[Emergency Ward: a view on the interaction between nursing professionals and patients]

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Communication
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Effective nurse-patient communication is crucial in high-stress environments.
• Emergency departments present unique challenges to communication.
• Understanding communication dynamics is essential for quality patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the role of communication in nurse-patient interactions within an emergency hospital.
• To identify the importance of communication specifically for nursing professionals.
• To explore communication challenges and needs in the emergency ward setting.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study conducted in a public tertiary emergency hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.
• Involved 20 nursing professionals (nurses, technicians, auxiliaries).
• Data collected through individual interviews and analyzed using content analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified environmental difficulties impacting communication in the emergency ward.
• Revealed a dichotomy between 'doing' tasks and 'executing' care through communication.
• Highlighted a mechanization of communication, yet underscored patients' fundamental need for it.

Conclusions:

• The emergency ward environment significantly hinders effective nurse-patient communication.
• There is a disconnect between task-oriented actions and patient-centered communication.
• Despite environmental challenges, communication remains a critical, unmet need for patients in emergency settings.