[Perception among Norwegian hospital physicians of physician-nurse cooperation]

It is generally agreed that a positive and cooperative atmosphere between nurses and doctors is of vital importance to the quality of medical services in hospitals. In this study 1,278 Norwegian hospital doctors were asked how they perceived the working atmosphere between doctors and nurses. 75% replied that the doctors-nurse relationship was characterized by openness and dialogue and half of them felt that there was generally not much competition with regard to medical responsibility. Only 14% found communicating difficult, 20% stated that conflicts between the two groups were seldom discussed openly. Psychiatrists were found to view the relationship in the most positive light, whereas surgeons and non-specialists (mostly residents and interns) perceived the working atmosphere less favourably. Young doctors had a more negative view of the relationship than older ones. Neither gender nor job position were of any significance in predicting the perceptions. A high level of autonomy and a low level of stress were factors which contributed positively to the doctor-nurse relationship.