Verbal communication with unconscious patients

Abstract

Objective: Communication with critically ill patients in intensive care settings generates specific challenges for nursing staff, and demands well-developed skills. Methods: A study was conducted in two phases using qualitative methods to characterise and standardise verbal communication used with patients. The first phase consisted of a systematic search and content analysis of the literature concerning communication and verbal stimulation of unconscious patients. Results: The results of the content analysis were then used in phase two and informed the development of a standardised stimulus message. There appear to be four main problem areas: basic difficulty in communicating with a patient who cannot respond; pressures of the working environment; limited knowledge about unconscious patients' needs; limited detailed knowledge of why or how to communicate with unconscious patients. Conclusion: The stimulus developed, has been shown to facilitate the communication with the unconscious patients. © 2014 Acta Paulista de Enfermagem/Escola Paulista de Enfermagem/Universidade Federal de São Paulo.