Interpersonal communication between nurses and elderly patients: refinement of an observation schedule

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Communication Studies
• Geriatric Care

Background:

• Accurate measurement of nurse-patient communication is essential for quality care.
• Existing observation schedules require refinement for improved reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the inter-observer reliability of an existing nurse-patient communication observation schedule.
• To evaluate a new observation technique incorporating portable computers and tape recorders.

Main Methods:

• The Le May & Redfern observation schedule was adapted and tested on an elderly care ward.
• Inter-observer reliability was assessed using both a computer-based and a handwritten version of the schedule.
• Non-verbal interactions and verbal communication were recorded.

Main Results:

• Acceptable reliability coefficients (≥0.60 or ≥70% agreement) were achieved for most schedule components.
• The recording of non-verbal responses proved inadequate.
• Portable computer use offered no significant advantage over the handwritten schedule.
• Confirmed previous findings of limited expressive touch between nurses and elderly patients.

Conclusions:

• A simplified handwritten schedule combined with audiotaped verbal communication is recommended for enhanced reliability.
• Further refinement is needed for accurately capturing non-verbal nurse-patient interactions.
• The study highlights the importance of reliable tools for studying communication in geriatric nursing.