Factors related to nurse communication with elderly people

This study explores variables that might influence nurses' communication wi th elderly patients. Three groups of variables arise from the literature th at seem to affect the quality or quantity of nurse-patient communication: v ariables related to nurses, to patients, and to the setting in which nursin g care takes place. The study was conducted in two different care settings: a home for elderly people and a home care organization. In a sample of 181 video-taped nursing encounters, involving 47 nurses and 109 patients a stu dy was made of nurse-patient communication. In addition, relevant data rela ted to patients, nurses and situation were gathered by questionnaires and w ere combined with the results of observations of videotaped nurse-patient i nteractions. It was found that the educational level of nurses was related most strongly to the way nurses communicate with their elderly patients. Pa tient characteristics such as age, gender and subjective state of health ap peared to play a minor role in the way nurses communicate.