title: Communication with TB patients; a neglected dimension of effective treatment?
abstract: Previous research has shown that patients who are satisfied with their interactions with a health provider tend to adhere to treatment. This study sets out to investigate the quality of the communication in the interactions between clinic nurses at a Western Cape clinic and newly notified tuberculosis patients. Routine interviews between clinic nurses and tuberculosis patients were video-recorded, transcribed and analysed, using a qualitative instrument devised by the researchers. The interactions were evaluated as being essentially nurse-centred; there was an unequal distribution of control, poor receptivity to the patient and little confirmation of the patient. The nursing staff received a period of training in communication skills. After this training their interviews with patients revealed a significant shift towards a more patient-centred approach, resulting in mutual satisfaction of nurse and patient. Training in communication skills should be introduced at TB clinics, in order to improve patients' adherence to therapy.
authors.affiliation: Professional Communication Unit, University of Cape Town.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steyn
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van der Merwe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dick
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borcherds
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wilding
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*