Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives

Background: Effective communication between healthcare practitioners and patients in the emergency department (ED) is crucial for patient satisfaction and quality of care. This study explored patients' perspectives on communication with nurses and physicians in the ED. Methods: A cross-sect...

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Main Authors: Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Alghamdi, Ghali Syed Hmed, Abdulkareem Mamoon Aloqbawi, Badr Ayed Almutairi, Fatimah Abdulaziz Alsumari, Mogbel Khalaf Alharbi, Rashed Abdullah Al Nemer, Rakan Ali Alshehri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Discover STM Publishing Ltd 2023-03-01
Series:Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine
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Online Access:https://sjemed.com/?mno=115063
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author Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Alghamdi
Ghali Syed Hmed
Abdulkareem Mamoon Aloqbawi
Badr Ayed Almutairi
Fatimah Abdulaziz Alsumari
Mogbel Khalaf Alharbi
Rashed Abdullah Al Nemer
Rakan Ali Alshehri
author_facet Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Alghamdi
Ghali Syed Hmed
Abdulkareem Mamoon Aloqbawi
Badr Ayed Almutairi
Fatimah Abdulaziz Alsumari
Mogbel Khalaf Alharbi
Rashed Abdullah Al Nemer
Rakan Ali Alshehri
author_sort Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Alghamdi
collection DOAJ
description Background: Effective communication between healthcare practitioners and patients in the emergency department (ED) is crucial for patient satisfaction and quality of care. This study explored patients' perspectives on communication with nurses and physicians in the ED. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 159 patients to assess the type of information relayed by nurses and doctors. The interview data were analyzed to examine nursing staff communication, physician communication, and communication difficulties. Results: Nurses were found to be less likely to inform patients about their results or disposition. While 81.2% of physicians introduced themselves to patients, only 51.6% stated their status level. Approximately 68.6% of subjects were offered analgesia or treatment, and 60% reported no communication difficulties with medical staff. Empathy was demonstrated by 54.2% of healthcare practitioners, and nearly 80% of patient encounters were conducted in understandable language. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of effective communication in the ED, including empathy, information provision, and language barriers. To improve patient satisfaction and healthcare quality, medical organizations should develop comprehensive work plans, provide communication skills workshops, and enhance the ED work environment. Future research should focus on the perspectives of medical staff and explore communication in larger samples and various contexts. [SJEMed 2023; 4(2.000): 128-133]
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issn 1658-8487
language English
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publisher Discover STM Publishing Ltd
record_format Article
series Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine
spelling doaj-art-3b8db6081fcc4ec7922cdaf957b2b3582025-08-20T03:40:25ZengDiscover STM Publishing LtdSaudi Journal of Emergency Medicine1658-84872023-03-014212813310.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347115063Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectivesAbdulaziz Abdulrahman Alghamdi0Ghali Syed Hmed1Abdulkareem Mamoon Aloqbawi2Badr Ayed Almutairi3Fatimah Abdulaziz Alsumari4Mogbel Khalaf Alharbi5Rashed Abdullah Al Nemer6Rakan Ali Alshehri7Emergency Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Emergency Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Medical College, King Saudi bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Medical College, King Saudi bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Medical College, King Saudi bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Medical College, King Saudi bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Medical College, King Saudi bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Medical College, King Saudi bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Background: Effective communication between healthcare practitioners and patients in the emergency department (ED) is crucial for patient satisfaction and quality of care. This study explored patients' perspectives on communication with nurses and physicians in the ED. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 159 patients to assess the type of information relayed by nurses and doctors. The interview data were analyzed to examine nursing staff communication, physician communication, and communication difficulties. Results: Nurses were found to be less likely to inform patients about their results or disposition. While 81.2% of physicians introduced themselves to patients, only 51.6% stated their status level. Approximately 68.6% of subjects were offered analgesia or treatment, and 60% reported no communication difficulties with medical staff. Empathy was demonstrated by 54.2% of healthcare practitioners, and nearly 80% of patient encounters were conducted in understandable language. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of effective communication in the ED, including empathy, information provision, and language barriers. To improve patient satisfaction and healthcare quality, medical organizations should develop comprehensive work plans, provide communication skills workshops, and enhance the ED work environment. Future research should focus on the perspectives of medical staff and explore communication in larger samples and various contexts. [SJEMed 2023; 4(2.000): 128-133]https://sjemed.com/?mno=115063emergency departmentpatient communicationhealthcare practitionerspatient satisfactionphysician-nurse interaction
spellingShingle Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Alghamdi
Ghali Syed Hmed
Abdulkareem Mamoon Aloqbawi
Badr Ayed Almutairi
Fatimah Abdulaziz Alsumari
Mogbel Khalaf Alharbi
Rashed Abdullah Al Nemer
Rakan Ali Alshehri
Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives
Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine
emergency department
patient communication
healthcare practitioners
patient satisfaction
physician-nurse interaction
title Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives
title_full Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives
title_fullStr Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives
title_short Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives
title_sort patient healthcare worker communication in emergency departments patient perspectives
topic emergency department
patient communication
healthcare practitioners
patient satisfaction
physician-nurse interaction
url https://sjemed.com/?mno=115063
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