Satisfaction of intensive care unit nurses with nurse-physician communication.

摘要

OBJECTIVE:: The objective of this study was to determine if specific communication elements contribute to nurses' satisfaction with communication. BACKGROUND:: Little research has focused on communication satisfaction, which may be linked to overall communication effectiveness, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions. METHODS:: Using a nonexperimental, descriptive design, all nurses (N 866) who worked in 25 intensive care units located in 8 hospitals in Southeast Michigan were anonymously surveyed on their perceptions of registered nurse/doctor of medicine communication and satisfaction with communication. RESULTS:: There were 407 usable surveys. Nurses were more satisfied with open, accurate, and understanding communication (R = 0.66). Years of experience in intensive care unit and satisfaction with communication were inversely related (r -0.10, P (r = 0.12, P = .02) than with first year residents (r = -0.21, P < .001). CONCLUSION:: Although touted as a patient safety tool, the timeliness of communication was not associated with communication satisfaction. Nurses are more satisfied with understanding, open, and accurate communication, especially with attending-level physicians.