Patient and nurse content preferences for a communication board to facilitate dialogue in the intensive care unit

Abstract

OBJECTIVES : The main aim of this study was to identify patient and nurse content preferences for a communication board to facilitate effective communication (dialogue) in the critical care unit. RESEARCH DESIGN : A qualitative research design focusing on explorative and descriptive components was used to address the aim of the research study. The study employed two participant groups. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with critically ill patients (N = 10) and critical care nurses (N = 30). SETTING : The study was conducted in four different private hospitals of the same hospital group in Gauteng, South Africa. FINDINGS : Four distinct themes were identified in the research regarding the vocabulary items that participants would like to have included. CONCLUSION : The findings suggest that patients perceive a communication board to be valuable in enhancing communication in the critical care unit; that cultural and linguistic diversity should be considered; and that patients and nurses have varying opinions on topics of priority during communication.