INTRODUCTION:

During the past forty years, improvements have been made in fields of science and medical technology that have led to advancements in caring for physical needs of sick persons.¹ Admission of a patient to an intensive care unit (ICU) can result in tremendous stress to family caregivers not only because of the need to provide physical and emotional support to the sick relative, but also due to the burden of decision-making on behalf of the critically ill person.² Communication practices of multiple professionals in health care settings can impact patient outcomes.³ Family care giver communication satisfaction by healthcare professionals is essential and for optimizing and improving patient health care outcomes.⁴Communication in a healthcare setting is one of the most important tools we have for providing great patient care and improving caregiver Satisfaction.⁵ Efficient and effective communication from healthcare provider is crucial in healthcare and helps to reduce the stress and improve satisfaction among caregivers of patients admitted in ICU. The present study was carried out to assess the satisfaction on patient related communication by healthcare professionals among caregivers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among caregivers of patients admitted in ICUs of a tertiary hospital of Ernakulam district. By using convenient sampling technique 100 caregivers were enrolled to the study and the data was collected by administering self reported tools on demographic performa and Structured communication satisfaction assessment scale for doctors and nurses. Statistical analysis was done by using R software. Socio-personal variables were analyzed by using frequency and percentage. Wilcoxon sign ranked matched pair test was used to analyze the differences in caregiver communication satisfaction provided by the doctors and nurses.

RESULTS:

Description of socio demographic characteristics of study participants.

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of subjects based on age, gender, religion and educational status. n=100

S.No

Socio demographic Variables

Frequency

(f)

Percentage

(%)

Age in years

18-25 years

26-46 years

46-65 years

>65 years

Gender

Male

Female

Religion

Christian

Hindu

Muslim

Other

Educational Status

S.S.L.C or below 10^th

Higher secondary

Undergraduate

Post graduate or above

Table 1 shows that 40% of subjects belonged to the age group of (26-45) years, 50% subject were males. More than a third belongs to were Hindu religion (36%). With respect to the educational status 34% were undergraduate.

Table 2: Frequency and percentage distribution of employment status, relationship with patient, number of hospitalization of dependent within six months and duration of current hospitalization (n=100)

SL.No

Demographic Performa

Frequency

(f)

Percentage(%)

Employment Status

Employed

Not employed

Relationship with the patient

Mother

Father

Son

Daughter

Spouse

Brother or sister

Other

Number of hospitalization of dependent within six months

One

Two

Three

Greater than three

Duration of current hospitalization

< one week

7-14 days

15-20 days

>20 days

The data given in table 2 showed that only less than half (43%) of the caregivers were employed and more than a third (37%) of the patient’s spouse were the caregivers. Nearly 2/3 rd of subjects (63%) reported third time hospitalization of dependent within six months to hospital. With regard to the duration of current hospitalization majority (72%) of the subjects belonged to less than one week of hospitalization.

Table 3: Comparison of caregiver communication satisfaction score provided by different category of healthcare professional. n=100

Category of healthcare

professionals

Median

(Q2)

Wilcoxon signed ranked matched paired test (t)

P value

Doctor

-4.78

0.01*

Nurse

59.5

-4.78

0.01*

*Significant (p<=0.05)

The data given in the table 3 showed that that median and interquartile range of caregivers communication satisfaction score of doctors 61(60, 63) is higher than the median and interquartile range of caregivers communication satisfaction of nurses 59.5(58, 61). There was observable difference (-4.78) in the caregiver satisfaction score obtained for nurses and doctors. The difference observed was found to be statistically significant (p=0.01). Hence there is a statistically significant difference in satisfaction on patient related communication by the healthcare professionals.

DISCUSSION:

In the present study, 100 caregivers were selected, to study the difference in the caregiver satisfaction on patient related communication by different category of health care professionals. Significant difference (p=0.01) was observed in the score obtained for communication satisfaction for doctors 61(60, 63) and communication satisfaction for nurses 59.5(58, 61). Hence the caregiver communication satisfaction was higher with doctors among than other health professionals.

The results of the present study were also consistent with the findings of a similar study done to find out satisfaction on patient related communication among family caregivers. Mixed method study using a closed ended survey was conducted among two hundred eighteen primary family caregivers of patients with cancer enrolled with hospice, This study also revealed that nurse never told them the patient’s illness could not be cured (20%), never provided life expectancy (40%), and never discussed using hospice (32.2%).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Here we extend our sincere thanks to the administrative authorities of study settings, IEC members and study participants

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The authors declare no conflict of interest in the study.

REFERENCE:

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2. Benfield LE, Beck C. Reducing the distance in distance-care giving by technology innovation. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2007 Jun;2(2):267.

3. Zwarenstein M, Goldman J, Reeves S. Interprofessional collaboration: effects of practice‐based interventions on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2009(3).

4. Ganey P. The rising tide measure: Communication with nurses. Retrieved from images.healthcare.pressganey.com/Web/PressGaneyAssociates/Communication_with_N urses_May2013. pdf. 2013..

5. Mitchell P, Wynia M, Golden R, McNellis B, Okun S, Webb CE, Rohrbach V, Von Kohorn I. Core principles & values of effective team-based health care. NAM Perspectives. 2012 Oct.

Received on 30.12.2021 Modified on 29.07.2022

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2023; 11(2):152-154.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2023.00033