Expectations of nurses on the form of addressing them by patients

Abstract

Interpersonal communication skills in the patient – nurse relationship seem to be crucial in the whole care process. Nowadays, nurses’ reluctance to the phrase “sister” is becoming more and more visible. The aim of the work was to get to know nurses’ opinions on various forms of patients’ addressing them, and to assess which form is the most appropriate and why. The research was carried out in November and December 2017 at the nurses’ workplaces, such as hospitals and clinics. 115 people were included. The test method was a diagnostic survey. In the research, the following factors were adopted as independent variables: professional experience, type of school completed, occupied position and mode of work. A questionnaire was used, and the research tool was a questionnaire of own authorship. The chi-squared independence test was used to develop statistical research. The Cramér test was used to measure the magnitude of the compound’s strength in the case of rejecting the null hypothesis of independence. On the basis of the conducted research, it was stated that nurses do not accept the “sister” form of address. They also do not accept diminutive, overly polite forms. The studies showed a relationship between seniority, position, work mode and the choice of the best form of address to the nurse and acceptance of the phrase “sister”.