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Chapter 5 Findings
“I feel that communication is every bit as important an activity as
giving them their medicines.”
(S13)
Another nurse participant felt that listening was important too:
“You see when we talk to the patient we have to listen to them, what
they are saying, and we have to take time with them.”
(S05)
However, it was observed that some opportunities for communication and
interaction were missed:
“A HCA attending to a man with Alzheimer’s behind the curtain
who needs full care. No verbal interactions or communication can
be heard.”
(Obs – Day 1: 09.30-11.30hrs)
And sometimes these opportunities were maximised:
“One HCA has showered a female resident. She is chatting to her and
drying her hair with the hairdryer.”
(Obs – Day 2: 07.30-09.30hrs)
Participant accounts revealed that many issues impacted upon person-to-person
communication. Staff participants emphasised the importance of communication
but were concerned that other colleagues were more focused on doing physical
work rather than on listening and talking to the residents:
“I also think the perception of some staff may be that if you’re sitting
chatting to somebody or if you’re chatting to them when you’re doing
a bed bath then you’re delaying, it’s a mindset and I think it’s trying
to change that.”
(S11)
“She likes to talk but there really isn’t that much time for talking.
Maybe there is but I feel people would be saying ‘you’re not doing
anything in here but talking’.”
(S08)