Abstract

• Nursing involves deep human interpersonal relationships between nurses and patients. But in modem Korea, the nurse-patient relationship tends to be ritualistic and mechanistic. Patients usually express the hope that nurses be more tender and kind. Patients expect nurses to express their warmth especially through nonverbal behaviour. This study was conducted to identify patients' preferences for nurse's nonverbal expressions of warmth. Through the confirmation of these preferences, nurses may learn how to enhance their interpersonal relationships with patients. Subjects for the study were 73 patients who had been admitted to a university teaching hospital for at least three days and agreed to be interviewed by the investigator. The interactions were studied nonverbal expressions of warmth during nursing rounds and administration of oral medication. The interview schedule was expecially designed by the investigator to measure the nurse's posture, the distance between the nurse and the patient, the nurse's eye contact, facial expression hand, motion and head nodding. Data analysis included frequencies, percentages and X2-test. The results of this study may be summarized as follows : 1. Patient's preferences for nurse's nonverbal expressions of warmth during nursing rounds. Preferred nurse's posture was sitting(50.7%) or standing(49.3%) opposite the patient was close to the bed(93.2%), less than 1m. Preferred eye contact was directed to the patient's eyes or their affected part(41.1%). Preferred facial expression was a smile(97.3%). Preferred hand motions were light gestures(41.1%). Patients preferred head nodding which approved their own opinions(69.9%). 2. Patient's preferences for nurse's nonverbal expressions of warmth during administration of oral medication. Preferred nurse's posture was standing and waiting to confirm that medication had been taken(58.9%). Preferred distance from the patient was at arm's length, 0.5-1m (64.4%). Patients preferred direct eye contact(58.9%) and a smile(94.5%). Patients preferred that the nurse put the medicine directly the patient's hand(64.4%). Whether the nurse nodded her head or not was not considered important. 3. The relation of general characteristics and patient's preferences for nurse's nonverbal expressions of warmth during nursing rounds administration of oral medication. During nursing rounds, the age of subjects(p=0.010) and the standard of education (p=0.026) related to the distance between the nurse and the patient. The sick hospital ward related to the eye contact(p=0.017) and facial expression(p=0.010). During administration of oral medication, the age of subjects(p=0.044) and days of hospital treatment(p=0.043) and the sick hospital ward(p=0.0004) related to the facial expression. From this study, nurses can learn what kind nonverbal expressions of warmth are preferred by patients during rounds and administration and thus will enhance nurse-patient interpersonal relationships.

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