A linguistic analysis of nurse-patient interaction

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A linguistic analysis of nurse-patient interaction

• IRAS ID

  169463

• Contact name

  Michaela Lunan

• Contact email

  m.lunan@lancaster.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Lancaster University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 7 months, 4 days

• Research summary

  Background

  Recent issues within the national health care system stipulate that communication needs to be improved, issues such as those in Mid­Staffordshire (2010) and Winterbourne View (2011). The NHS has introduced various plans of action such as the 6 C’s (2012) and ‘No decision about me without me’ (2012). These proposals aim to improve patient­ centred communication by promoting compassion, empathy, care and dignity. It is understood that a positive nurse­ patient relationship is vital in order to provide quality nursing care and the language used within consultations can have a profound impact on patients and can even affect their health.

  Aims

  This study aims to improve knowledge of the speech that occurs in nurse­patient interactions in GP surgeries. It also aims to discover whether there is a difference in language used between older patients (aged 65+) and younger patients (18-65) by analysing the speech used. Previous studies suggest that nurses use patronizing language with older patients, but this is not compared with language used with younger patients.

  Methodology

  In order to collect data the chief investigator will audio record approximately 100 consultations within two GP surgeries in the North West of England. Interviews with participants will be held after the recorded consultations to receive feedback and evaluations of the interaction from both patient and nurse. This will provide the researcher with an understanding of what is perceived as positive and negative speech behaviour.

  Data Analysis

  Upon collecting the data, it will be analysed according to linguistic frameworks and collated to provide support for ways in which communication could be improved and potentially be transferred to effective communication teaching that promotes compassion, care, dignity and empathy.

• REC name

  North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/NW/0206

• Date of REC Opinion

  24 Apr 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion