title: "It Doesn't Require Much Effort Once You Get to Know Them": Certified Nursing Assistants' Views of Communication in Long-Term Care.
abstract: Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide the majority of hands-on care and become highly sensitive to residents' communication behaviors. Yet, CNAs feel disempowered when communicating residents' concerns to higher levels of authority. A grounded theory approach using focus group interviews with 23 CNAs was used to describe the communication environment in long-term care (LTC) and explore CNAs' perceptions of the acceptability of communication plans, a recent Canadian intervention to facilitate resident-staff communication. Findings suggest the communication environment in LTC relates to three overlapping constructs: (a) CNA and resident communication style; (b) paradox of context; and (c) dedication to residents. Although CNAs frequently interact with residents, a division between "top and bottom staff" communication was apparent in the findings. The current study suggested that communication plans may improve the communication environment in LTC settings. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(4), 42-51.].
authors: Christen G
authors: CG
authors: Page
authors: Graham D
authors: GD
authors: Rowles
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000523:psychology*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult