The Relationship between Nursing Staff Communication Skills and Quality of Nursing Care in A Pediatric University Specialized Hospital

Abstract Background: Studies were done all over the world related to communication skills and quality of nursing care but most of studies were done in that context based on others perspec-tives'. Nursing staff are the dominant hand in health care system, their skills development particularly communication skills could improve quality of care especially when dealing with children. Aim of Study: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between nursing staff communication skills and quality of nursing care in Pediatric University Specialized Hospital. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive correlational design was utilized to collect data which was conducted in 4 Icu units in a Pediatric University Specialized Hospital affiliated to Cairo University Hospitals in Egypt. The sample was equated of 40 nurses of nursing staff and their assigned 40 patients who meet criteria. Data were collected through Glasgow coma scale; demographic data, medical and nursing datasheet was reviewed. It was also collected by utilized two observational checklists used in data collection were developed by the researcher. Developed tools are Communication Skills (CSOC) and quality of nursing care (QOC), these tools were validated by experts' opinions and pilot-tested. The time framework of the study was April 2018 to February 2019. Result: The study revealed that (67.5%) of the studied sample had unsatisfactory communication skills and (75%) of the studied sample had unsatisfactory quality of nursing care. Also there was a highly statistically significant relation between communication skills and quality of nursing care. Conclusion: A strong positive relationship between nursing staff communication skills and quality of nursing care in the selected pediatric hospitals is what current study resulted in. Recommendations: The study recommended that training courses on communication skills for nursing staff should be conducted, studies should be encouraged in the field of communication in nursing career as it is an important element in quality of care.