An exploration of student nurses' attitudes towards communication with elderly patients on acute medical wards

Abstract

This study was carried out to explore student nurses' attitudes towards communication with elderly patients in acute medical wards. The reviewed literature indicated that communication with the elderly on acute medical wards is affected by the ward culture including task orientation of care and qualified nurses' attitudes towards care of the elderly. In addition student nurses' communication has been found to be influenced by 'work' values on medical wards. However there appeared to be a gap in the literature regarding student nurses' opinion on this issue. In order to study this issue a descriptive exploratory approach was used utilising a questionnaire incorporating a profile of an elderly patient on an acute medical ward. This collected qualitative and quantitative data from a convenience sample of 22 diploma nursing students. The findings indicated that the participants generally held positive attitudes towards communicating with elderly patients on acute medical ward and were largely satisfied with their education on nurse communication. However they frequently identified constraints to interaction with elderly patients on medical wards such as the theory practice gap, task orientation of care and qualified nurses' attitudes. Findings were discussed and recommendations made to improve care of the elderly on medical wards through communication.