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| Author | Vanessa Dalli |
| Abstract | The purpose of this study was to explore how nurses perceive communication with demented patients in a residential home for the elderly and in a psychiatric hospital. A stratified random sampling of ten female nurses was selected. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected by using a semi-structured interview. Analysis of qualitative data was carried out by content analysis. Similarities and differences between the two wards were elicited. The findings demonstrated that the majority of the participants' perceived communication with patients who have dementia as important and positive. They also thought that demented patients benefited from nurse-patient communication. Yet, for all the participants of both wards, communication seemed to take second place to the patients' physical care. A very significant finding was that participants seemed not to be aware of any other form of communication outside verbal communication. Participants identified the patient's condition, lack of time, lack of communication skills and shortage of nursing staff as constraints to nurse-patient communication. Thus, they thought that changes in the organisation of care, hospital system and nurses' in service training might facilitate communication with demented patients. All the participants except one, felt the need for more information and training specifically about dementia and communication with demented patients. As a result of this study recommendations for practice and suggestion for further research were given. |
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| Key words | Nurses, Perception, Communication, Dementia, Thesis |