Nurse–Physician Communication in Patient Care and Associated Factors, in King Khalid Hospital, Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia in 2023

Abstract

Background Effective nurse-physician communication is crucial for providing high-quality patient care and improving patient safety while reducing medical errors. Communication barriers between healthcare professionals are common, leading to adverse outcomes for patients. Objective The purpose of this research is to assess the nurse–physician communication in patient care and associated factors, in King Khalid Hospital, Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia in 2023. Methods The study design was a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study, and the study population was nursing and physician staff fulfilling specific inclusion criteria. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used. Ethical considerations were taken into account. Results The study covered 167 nurses and physicians, 121 (72.5%) were nurses, while 46 (27.5%) were physicians. The findings showed that there is a lack of clarity and mutual understanding in communication between nurses and physicians, and a small percentage always ask for clarification and have a mutual understanding of treatment plans. Participants generally feel understood, respected, and satisfied after interactions, but a significant portion feel angry. The overall assessment score for nurse-physician communication is 66.1. There was a statistically significant difference in communication scores between nurses and physicians. Conclusion in conclusion, the study found that there is a lack of clarity and mutual understanding in communication between nurses and physicians.