Abstract:
The study described in this paper was to thoroughly explore factors affecting communication and relationship between nurses and surgical patients at the surgical unit of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital-KATH, Kumasi. With a descriptive study design, using a purpose sampling technique, researchers sought to discover factors perceived by nursing colleagues and surgical –in patients that influence nurse-patient communication and relationship and how these affect the quality of nursing care. The tool for data collection was structured open-and close-ended questionnaire. Sample characteristics were analyzed using data collected from 40 nurses and 40 surgical patients and based on the information given by respondents, statistical techniques SPSS were employed to reduce, summarize, evaluate and communicate numerical information by presenting them in the form of tables and charts. Findings revealed that the level of nurse-patient communication and relationship was influenced positively by good human relations, a friendly hospital environment and respect for both nurses and patients alike among others. The study also brought to light poor communication strategies, unfriendly hospital environment, hostile attitude of nurses and patients toward each other, as some negative influences. Based on these findings some recommendations were made. Among these were, hospital management incorporating patient-centered care in its policy and conducting frequent in-service training on therapeutic communication strategies for all health care workers in the hospital.
