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| Author | Martin Camilleri |
| Abstract | This two stage study explored the perceptions of Nursing Officers (NOs) and Deputy Nursing Officers (DNOs) about the presence of communication skills in Newly Qualified Diploma Nurses (NQDN). In the first stage, the author sought the perceptions of the respondents about important communication skills in nurse-patient communication. This was achieved by means of a questionnaire devised by the author. This questionnaire entitled `Important Communication Skills' (ICS), contained 58 statements on communication behaviours, covering nine communication domains, which were derived from King's (1981) theory and from other research studies on nurse-patient communication. The NOs and DNOs were asked to identify which of these 58 statements reflected the most important communications skills in nurse - patient relationships. Data analysis revealed that the respondents identified seven out of the nine communication domains. The domains of `Non-verbal communication' and `Roles and Obligations' were not perceived as important by the NOs and DNOs. Following factor analysis a second questionnaire entitled, `Presence of Communication Skills' (PCS) was developed. This questionnaire which was used in the second stage of the study, sought the perceptions of NOs and DNOs about the presence of nurse-patient communication skills in the NQDN. Results revealed that respondents possessing a degree in nursing and those who attended a communication skills course appeared to have higher expectations of the NQDNs' communication skills than those respondents who had basic registered nurse qualification. Meanwhile the communication skills which appeared to be lacking in NQDN were those relating to lack of information giving to patients about their disease and treatment, and lack of family involvement in patient care. In view of these findings a number of recommendations for education, clinical practice and research are proposed. |
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| Key words | Communication Skills, Diploma Nurses, Perceptions, Nursing Officers, Thesis |