Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume 22, Issue 3 , Pages 167-180, June 2006

Communication interaction in ICU—Patient and staff experiences and perceptions

UCH NHS Foundation Trust, University College Hospital, Speech and Language Therapy, 3rd Floor East 250, Euston Road, London NW1 2PG,UK

Accepted 29 September 2005.

Summary 

Patients on intensive care units (ICU) have difficulty with communication [Menzel LK. Factors related to the emotional responses of intubated patients to being unable to speak. Heart Lung 1998; 27(4):245–52]. Feelings of anger and low mood have been reported, which can lead to reduced participation in rehabilitation. For members of the multidisciplinary team breakdown in communication with patients may be frustrating and related to a limited knowledge of strategies and resources to facilitate communication.

The NHS Modernisation Agency Critical Care Programme (2002) identified speech and language therapists (SLTs) as having a role in the assessment and management of patients with communication difficulties on ICU. This multi-centre pilot study aimed to investigate staff and patient perceptions and experiences of communication within ICUs. A short questionnaire was devised using semi-structured interviews to collect quantitative and qualitative information.

Patterns were identified including insights into SLT service delivery and possible directions for future research and development.

Keywords: Communication, Patient experience, Perceptions, Staff experience

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PII: S0964-3397(05)00132-1

doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2005.09.009

Refers to corrigendum:

  • Corrigendum to “Communication interaction in ICU—Patient and staff experiences and perceptions” [Intensive Crit. Care Nurs. 22 (3) (2006) 167–180]

    Victoria S. Magnus, Leisa Turkington
    Intensive and Critical Care Nursing August 2008 (Vol. 24, Issue 4, Page 264)

Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume 22, Issue 3 , Pages 167-180, June 2006

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