The clinical english communication situations and the requirement of nursing staff on improving their clinical english communication abilities

Abstract

Background: Due to globalization, the frequency to stay in other countries has increased, resulting in more chances to nursing staff to communicate with foreign patients in English. However, English is not the native language in many countries, including Taiwan. Many nurses cannot communicate with foreign patients efficiently. Aim: This study aimed to identify the clinical English Communication Abilities of nurses and their willingness and requirements to improve, negative communication situations, and their influential factors. Methods: A questionnaire to conduct a descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional survey was applied to 273 clinical nurses at a teaching hospital in Taiwan. Results: Most nurses stated that their English Communication Abilities was insufficient to cope with clinical requirements and were willing to improve this ability. In negative communication situations, the major problems included the nurses felt that they had to spend more time, were more stressed, and were not able to perform at a professional level when interacting with foreign patients, which would reduce interaction with patients. The factors that impact these problems include frequency of self-study and clinical English communicative abilities. English handout containing hygiene instructions was considered the most useful resource to facilitate clinical English conversation. Conclusions: Inadequate English Communication Abilities results in more time spent when communicating with foreign patients. Nurses who have better English Communication Abilities or have set hours for studying English may reduce the frequency of negative situations while communicating in English. Periodical advanced study of English might reduce the negative situation of nurse–patient communicated in English. To provide high-quality international medical service, the hospital managers have to offer appropriate assist strategies to improve nurses' clinical English communication abilities.

Keywords

• communication
• globalization
• international medical service
• quality of care
• nurse education
• nurse–patient interaction