Identifying and Comparing Communication Challenges Between Nurses and Resident Physicians.

Abstract

Background: Effective healthcare delivery involves coordinated communication between healthcare team members.

Objective: This study compares challenges in communication between nurses and residents.

Methods: This is a single-centered survey study in which 58 Nurses and 54 Internal Medicine residents at Temple University Hospital anonymously completed a 14-item questionnaire between August 2023 and March, 2024.

Results: Approximately 42% (54/128) residents participated. When assessing overall satisfaction, residents expressed lower satisfaction compared to nurses (57% vs 86%; p < 0.001). Additionally, residents find nursing documentation less helpful than nurses do vice versa (5% vs 74%; p < 0.0001). Residents more often than nurses ask the other for clarifications (85% vs 65%; p < 0.05). Interesting, 67% of nurses reported care delays due to inadequate coordination while 100% of residents reported delays (p < 0.0001). Residents reported greater difficulties in reaching the correct nurse than nurses in reaching the correct resident (91% vs 53%; p < 0.0001) and they also encountered both higher frustration and confusion in communication (93% vs 63%; p < 0.001 and 74% vs 52%; p < 0.05, respectively). Residents are also more likely to perceive nurses as not understanding the plan of the day (81% vs 63%; p < 0.05). On the other hand, both felt respected and heard (p = 0.10; p = 0.49) and satisfied with overall coordination and responsiveness (p = 0.32; p = 0.34). The study highlights notable challenges between nurses and residents, such as documentation and coordination. Free responses provided insight into barriers preventing effective communications and are categorized into "Responsiveness", "System-based", "Directedness", and "Respect".

Conclusion: Future research should focus on addressing these differences to foster better teamwork and understanding.