A study on patient satisfaction with therapeutic communication of nurses in multispecialty hospital

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic communication is a fundamental component of nursing practice that significantly influences patient satisfaction and overall healthcare quality. It is also a critical element of patient safety, as effective communication helps reduce medical errors, enhances patient understanding and supports safe clinical decision-making. Effective nurse-patient communication promotes understanding, alleviates anxiety, fosters trust and enhances health outcomes. As primary caregivers, nurses play a pivotal role in delivering patient-centered care through their communication skills.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 73 patients admitted to orthopaedic, oncology and surgical wards of a tertiary care hospital. Participants were selected using convenience sampling techniques. Data was collected using structured questionnaire assessing various components of nurses’ therapeutic communication. Responses were measured on a five–point Likert scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean and Standard Deviation.

Results: The overall mean satisfaction score was 4.13±0.83, indicating a high level of patient satisfaction. The highest satisfaction was observed in nurses’ knowledge and skills (4.32±0.69) and clarification of patient doubts (4.29±0.79). Patients also reported high satisfaction with emotional support, responsiveness and communication regarding health status. However, neutral responses were noted in areas such as interaction during admission and time spent with patients.

Conclusions: Therapeutic communication has a significant positive impact on patient satisfaction and quality of nursing care. Strengthening nurses’ communication skills through regular training and institutional support is essential to enhance patient-centered care.