Search PubMed⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 1873527

Communication problems between doctors and nurses.

R C MacKay·K Matsuno·J Mulligan
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Communication difficulties between hospital doctors and nurses are well documented. A survey undertaken jointly by medical and nursing administration at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, verified difficulties in doctor-nurse communication as perceived by doctors and nurses, as well as by ward clerks as impartial observers. Questionnaire responses revealed some impediments in the flow of communication. Both nurses and doctors perceived less frequency of difficulties in communicating with members of their own professional group than with members of the other group. Nurses with university preparation and other special clinical qualifications perceived significantly fewer communication problems with doctors than nurses with less education. Interns perceived greater frequency in difficulty communicating with nurses than did more highly qualified doctors, and female doctors who were not interns claimed fewer problems than their male counterparts. Moreover, more highly qualified male doctors who had a previous occupation acknowledged fewer doctor-nurse communication problems.

Explore related subjects

Attitude of Health PersonnelClinical CompetenceCommunicationData CollectionEducation, NursingFemaleGender IdentityHumansInterprofessional RelationsMaleMedical Staff, HospitalNursing Staff, HospitalSet, PsychologySurveys and QuestionnairesWestern AustraliaJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

R C MacKay, K Matsuno, J Mulligan. 1991. Communication problems between doctors and nurses.. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc%2F3.1.11

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2003

Smoking cessation interventions in the Oxford region: changes in dentists' attitudes and reported practices 1996-2001.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate dentists' current beliefs and practices (2001) with respect to smoking cessation interventions and any changes that might have occurred since the last survey in 1996. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire survey. SETTING: General dental practitioners on the health authority lists of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. RESULTS: A response rate of 71% (696/984) was achieved. The majority of dentists (88.6%) thought that dentists should encourage their patients to stop smoking (increase of 6.3% since 1996; 95%CI 2.6, 10.2; p=0.001), although only 42.2% believed dentists were effective in this area (non-significant increase of 4.8% since 1996). Only 48.4% routinely recorded their patient's smoking status (increase of 30.3% since 1996; 95%CI 25.4, 34.9; p<0.001) and only 26.9% always discussed the habit with smokers (increase of 9.5% since 1996; 95%CI 5.1, 13.9; p<0.001). Less than 10% reported a good knowledge of NRT or Bupropion. About half of respondents requested more training and resources. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists generally have positive attitudes to being involved in smoking cessation interventions, but although there are significant increases between 1996 and the current survey, few are active in this area. More training and resources may encourage dentists to be more proactive in helping their patients to stop smoking.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

Neurologists' assessment of their ability to provide high quality care.

OBJECTIVE: S: To assess levels of professional satisfaction and distress in a national sample of neurologists and to compare neurologists with other physicians. METHODS: The authors used data from the 1996 through 1997 and 1998 through 1999 Community Tracking Study Physician Survey and analyzed responses in the two time frames to measures of career satisfaction, physician autonomy and communication, and ability to obtain needed services for patients. RESULTS: Most physicians, including neurologists, are satisfied with careers in medicine. Neurologists feel they have more time to spend with patients than do other physicians but are more concerned than are other physicians about their ability to obtain needed services and to provide high-quality care for patients. One-third of all physicians feel that they cannot maintain the kind of continuing relationships with patients over time that are necessary for delivering high-quality care. CONCLUSION: The majority of physicians, including neurologists, are satisfied with medical practice today. Because some neurologists are experiencing significant professional distress, those factors that will enhance physician satisfaction, prevent burnout, and encourage high-quality interpersonal care need to be carefully examined and modified.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗