Predictors of therapeutic communication between nurses and hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic communication is a purposeful interaction between health professionals and patients that helps to achieve positive health outcomes. There is a pressing need for research examining factors influencing effective implementation of therapeutic communication in relation to patient-centered care and satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the effective implementation of therapeutic communication and its predictors. METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jimma University Specialized Hospital from March 21 to April 9, 2016. One hundred ninety two patients were recruited using stratified sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data. One-way ANOVA for mean difference by socio-demographic characteristics, simple and multivariable linear regressions were conducted. RESULTS: The study revealed that 67(34.9%) of the patients rated high level of therapeutic communication. Significant predictors of therapeutic communication implementation were educational status (β = 5.87, P = 0.011), language difference (β = -6, P = 0.014), education difference (β = 5.21, P = 0.010) and perceived patient view score (β = 3.57, P˂0.001). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic communication was poorly implemented. Education, language difference, education difference and perceived patient view scores were significant predictors of therapeutic communication.