Gossip and Rumours: The Situtation in Hospitals and Attitudes of Nurses

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Gossip and rumours, an aspect of informal communication, can be seen in health care organizations where open communication and patient privacy are of great importance. In this study it was aimed to reveal the topics of gossip and rumours, their incidence and among whom they spread, and nurses' attitudes towards gossips, and rumours in hospitals. METHODS: Data of this descriptive and cross-sectional study were collected from 572 voluntary nurses in a private, a public university and a training and research hospitals in Istanbul through 12-item personal questionnaire form and Gossip and Rumour Attitude Scale. Descriptive analysis (number, percentage, mean and standard deviation) was used in the evaluation of these data. RESULTS: Among nurses participating in this study, the following mean sub dimension scores were obtained: identification, 2.60+-0.57 pts; reasons, 3.69+-0.51 pts; being affected, 2.04+-0.60 pts and reactions, 2.71+-0.57 pts. It was found out that nurses talked with the nurses (68.7%) about their institutes (33.6%), and only 1.9% (n=11). Of them said that they haven't faced with gossip or rumour. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although nurses generally have negative attitudes toward gossip and rumours, it has been concluded that they often gossip with their colleagues about their institute. The executives are suggested to be aware of their roles in knowing the importance of gossip and rumours, development of strategies to control them, not getting information from gossip and rumours and reducing the destructive effects of gossip and rumours.

Keywords

• informal communication
• gossip
• rumours
• nurse
• attitude