Nurses' Perceptions of Physicians' Communication: The Relationship Among Communication Practices, Satisfaction, and Collaboration

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among nurses' perceptions of physician communication practices, nurse–physician collaboration, and nurses' job satisfaction. Two hundred five nurses employed at a pediatric hospital completed surveys on site that examined perceptions of nurse–physician and physician–patient communication, job satisfaction, and nurse–physician collaboration. Nurse reports of physicians who listened effectively and used clear, humorous, immediate, and empathic messages were strongly related to nurses' satisfaction in several contexts. Physicians' use of empathic messages emerged as a significant predictor of nurses' satisfaction with communication, relationships, and collaborative medical practices. Physician humor and clarity were significant predictors of nurses' job satisfaction. There was a significant positive correlation between nurses' perceptions of physicians' use of nurse-centered communication practices and patient-centered communication practices.