Nurses' nonverbal methods of communicating with patients in the terminal phase

摘要

Aim: The aim of this study was to ascertain what methods of communication nurses use during interactions with patients nearing the end of their lives, with a particular focus on nonverbal communication. Methodology: A questionnaire containing 24 questions was completed by 95 nurses working in one of five hospices in Poland. Results: A total of 48% of the sample reported frequently using nonverbal communication consciously and with a certain aim, and a further 37 (39%) reported that they sometimes use it. The sample's responses indicate that for patients the best form of touch is holding hands. In addition, 63% of the respondents stated that they had been educated in communicating with palliative care patients, but only 56% thought that nurses' communication knowledge and skills were satisfactory, and 50% would like to undergo training in communication skills specific to palliative care. Conclusion: Most nurses are aware of the importance of nonverbal communication to their interactions with palliative care patients, but a substantial proportion think that they need to be better educated in theoretical and practical aspects of communication.