The Correlation of Communication Effectiveness and Patient Satisfaction

The effect of communication using Peplau's theory on satisfaction with nursing care in hospitalized older adults in cardiac intensive care unit: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Patient satisfaction helps healthcare organizations to improve their quality level and nurse-patient relationship is effective in increasing satisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of communication using Peplau's theory on satisfaction with nursing care in hospitalized older adults' patients in cardiac intensive care unit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted by available sampling method on 78 hospitalized older adults (39 interventions, 39 control) in cardiac intensive care unit of Guilan hospitals in north of Iran in 2021. In the intervention group, Peplau's communication theory (four stages of orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution) was implemented and the control group received routine care. At the time of discharge, patient satisfaction questionnaire of quality of nursing care was completed for both groups. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics (independent t test, Chi-square test).

RESULTS

The mean score of nursing satisfaction in the intervention group (5.4 ± 93.0) was significantly higher than the control group (6.8 ± 75.7) (t (64) = 11.54, P < 0.001, d = 2.84). In other words, the mean satisfaction scores of nursing care in the intervention group were 17.4 units (95% confidence interval: 14.4-20.4) more than the control group.

CONCLUSION

Using Peplau's communication theory in the care of hospitalized older adults in cardiac intensive care unit can lead to improvement of satisfaction, so it is suggested to use this communication method in the care of these patients to improve the level of satisfaction, quality of care, and functional independence.

The Effects of Patient-Centered Communication on Patient Engagement, Health-Related Quality of Life, Service Quality Perception and Patient Satisfaction in Patients with Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study in Türkiye

INTRODUCTION

Patient-centered communication is a type of communication that takes place between the provider and the patient.

OBJECTIVES

It is aimed to reveal the effects of patient-centered communication on patient engagement, health-related quality of life, perception of service quality and patient satisfaction.

METHOD

The study was conducted by applying multiple regression analysis to the data obtained from 312 patients with cancer treated in a training and research hospital affiliated to the Ministry of Health in Diyarbakır, Türkiye.

RESULTS

More than half of the patients were female and had stage 4 cancer. Different types of cancer were detected (breast cancer, cancer of the digestive organs, lymphatic and hematopoietic cancer, cancer of the genital organs, cancer of the respiratory organs, etc.). It can be stated that the average values obtained by patients from patient-centered communication and its sub-dimensions are high. There are positive, moderate and low and significant relationships between the overall patient-centered communication and patient engagement, patient satisfaction, service quality perception and quality of life. It was statistically revealed that patient-centered communication positively affected patient engagement, health-related quality of life, service quality perception, and patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Patient-centered communication positively affects various short and medium-term health outcomes and this study offers suggestions for improving patient-provider communication.

Patient symptom exaggeration is associated with communication effectiveness and trust

Objective

Patients might exaggerate their symptoms in an attempt to align the clinician's views with their own. A person who sees potential benefit in symptom exaggeration might also experience less trust, more difficulty communicating, and lower satisfaction with their clinician. We asked if there was an association between patient rating of communication effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and patient trust with symptom exaggeration?

Methods

One hundred and thirty-two patients in four orthopaedic offices completed surveys including demographics, Communication-Effectiveness-Questionnaire (CEQ-6), Negative-Pain-Thoughts-Questionnaire (NPTQ-4), a Guttman-style satisfaction question, PROMIS Depression, and Stanford Trust in Physician. Patients were randomly assigned to answer three questions about symptom exaggeration for two scenarios: 1) their own exaggeration during the just-completed visit or 2) the average person's tendency to exaggerate.

Results

In multivariable analysis, lower ratings of communication effectiveness were associated with greater symptom exaggeration (p=0.002), while an annual household income>$100,000 (p=0.033) was associated with higher ratings. Higher rating of satisfaction was associated with lower education attained (p=0.004). Greater trust was associated with lower personal exaggeration (p=0.002).

Conclusion

The relationship between greater exaggeration and lower ratings of communication effectiveness and trust suggests that symptom descriptions that seem more intense or diffuse than expected may indicate opportunities for more effective communication and trust.

Innovation

Patient experience can be improved by training clinicians to identify symptom exaggeration as a signal that the patient does not feel heard and understood and a cue to return to communication strategies that build trust.

Odds-ratio network for postoperative factors revealing differences in the 2-year longitudinal pattern of satisfaction between women and men after total knee arthroplasty

Timely and accurate assessments of the factors influencing satisfaction, a key indicator of success in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), may help improve TKA outcomes. Here we performed the longitudinal trend analysis of relation between satisfaction and 12 postoperative factors, which positively or negatively influence the patient satisfaction 2 years after TKA. In a real-world registry cohort (women/men: 1121/650), we showed similarities and differences between women and men in the contribution of postoperative factors to satisfaction 2 years after TKA as assessed by odds-ratio-similarity network. In men, the strongest negative factors were pain and complications, followed by mechanical problems. In women, the strongest negative factors were the pain and knee instability, followed by other mechanical problems, complications and low levels of sports activity. In both sexes, physical activity and the Knee Society Score (general and functional) influenced positively satisfaction; long-distance walking was associated with satisfaction only in women. A trend analysis revealed a reduction in the strength of satisfaction-related factors over 2 years of check-ups, particularly in women. Our study demonstrates that the key check-up for assessing the evolution of satisfaction in the 2 years after TKA was at 3 months in both sexes.

How Do Orthopaedic Patients Prefer to Be Contacted During a Pandemic?

Introduction

Communication with patients is a vital part of the surgical pathway, and when done effectively, it can greatly improve patient outcomes and patient satisfaction and reduce canceled appointments. Different forms of communication work well for different patient demographics, and it is important to optimize communication techniques. We designed a study to review the communication preferences of orthopedic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed by asking patients who were due to undergo orthopedic procedures to answer a questionnaire on their communication preferences, the reminder notice period for appointments, and safety and satisfaction ratings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Communication method preferences are influenced by patient factors such as gender and age. Phone calls were the most popular communication method throughout all patient groups, with 61% selecting it as their preference. Younger patients preferred multiple communication methods of phone calls, texts, and emails, whereas the older group had a stronger preference for letters. Letters were more popular among females (28% compared to 10% of males), whereas males had a stronger preference for other communication methods. The majority of patients said they would not have liked a letter prior to their clinic appointment (65%). Of those who indicated a preferred notice period, 73% would have liked five days or less notice prior to their clinic appointment, while 65% would have liked 10-14 days notice prior to their surgery. The average safety rating was 55%. The overall satisfaction rating with the communication process was 71.7%.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed patient feelings towards healthcare and, as a result, changed the way healthcare is delivered. Communication method preferences among trauma and orthopedic patients vary and depend on factors such as gender and age. If healthcare departments can optimize their communication processes, they will improve their patient outcomes and enhance their resources.