Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives
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
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.
Keywords: Emergency department, patient communication, healthcare practitioners, patient satisfaction, physician-nurse interaction.
Authors
Correspondence to:
Publication history:
Received 24 Sep 2022
Revised 25 Dec 2022
Accepted 06 Jan 2023
Published online 19 May 2023
Published in print 09 Sep 2023
Alghamdi AA, Hmed GS, Aloqbawi AM, Almutairi BA, Alsumari FA, Alharbi MK, Nemer RAA, Alshehri RA. Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives. SJEMed. 2023; 4(2): 128-133. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347
Alghamdi AA, Hmed GS, Aloqbawi AM, Almutairi BA, Alsumari FA, Alharbi MK, Nemer RAA, Alshehri RA. Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives. https://sjemed.com/?mno=115063 [Access: December 12, 2024]. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347
Alghamdi AA, Hmed GS, Aloqbawi AM, Almutairi BA, Alsumari FA, Alharbi MK, Nemer RAA, Alshehri RA. Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives. SJEMed. 2023; 4(2): 128-133. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347
Alghamdi AA, Hmed GS, Aloqbawi AM, Almutairi BA, Alsumari FA, Alharbi MK, Nemer RAA, Alshehri RA. Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives. SJEMed. (2023), [cited December 12, 2024]; 4(2): 128-133. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347
Alghamdi, A. A., Hmed, . G. S., Aloqbawi, . A. M., Almutairi, . B. A., Alsumari, . F. A., Alharbi, . M. K., Nemer, . R. A. A. & Alshehri, . R. A. (2023) Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives. SJEMed, 4 (2), 128-133. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347
Alghamdi, Abdulaziz Abdulrahman, Ghali Syed Hmed, Abdulkareem Mamoon Aloqbawi, Badr Ayed Almutairi, Fatimah Abdulaziz Alsumari, Mogbel Khalaf Alharbi, Rashed Abdullah Al Nemer, and Rakan Ali Alshehri. 2023. Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives. Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine, 4 (2), 128-133. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347
Alghamdi, Abdulaziz Abdulrahman, Ghali Syed Hmed, Abdulkareem Mamoon Aloqbawi, Badr Ayed Almutairi, Fatimah Abdulaziz Alsumari, Mogbel Khalaf Alharbi, Rashed Abdullah Al Nemer, and Rakan Ali Alshehri. "Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives." Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine 4 (2023), 128-133. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347
Alghamdi, Abdulaziz Abdulrahman, Ghali Syed Hmed, Abdulkareem Mamoon Aloqbawi, Badr Ayed Almutairi, Fatimah Abdulaziz Alsumari, Mogbel Khalaf Alharbi, Rashed Abdullah Al Nemer, and Rakan Ali Alshehri. "Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives." Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine 4.2 (2023), 128-133. Print. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347
Alghamdi, A. A., Hmed, . G. S., Aloqbawi, . A. M., Almutairi, . B. A., Alsumari, . F. A., Alharbi, . M. K., Nemer, . R. A. A. & Alshehri, . R. A. (2023) Patient-healthcare worker communication in emergency departments: patient perspectives. Saudi Journal of Emergency Medicine, 4 (2), 128-133. doi:
10.24911/SJEMed/72-1663353347