Focus on communication: increasing the opportunity for successful staff-patient interactions

Objectives. This study reports on a pilot study examining the feasibility of a Patient-Centred Communication Intervention. Aims of this study include: assessing the implementation of the communication care plans; identifying staff perceptions of the intervention; exploring changes in patients' perceptions of care and psychosocial functioning; and exploring changes in nurses' knowledge of and attitude towards communication with patients. Background. More than 50% of stroke survivors have speech and language impairments. Many nurses lack the specialized skills to effectively communicate with patients and therefore have difficulties understanding the patients' needs. Design. A one-group pre- post-test design supplemented with a focus group session with nursing staff was used. The intervention consisted of developing individualized communication plans; attending at a workshop; and implementing a system to support nurses when using the plans. The plans were used over a 2-month period. Focus groups were held with seven nurses. Results. The pilot study demonstrated feasibility. There was an excellent response rate and nurses adhered to the intervention. Conclusion. The Patient-Centred Communication Intervention is feasible and has demonstrated potential for a larger-scale study. Relevance to clinical practice. Providing tailored approaches to communication-enhancement education may be necessary for changes in practice to occur.