Determinants of effective nurse-patient communication based on the health action process approach in Yazd hospitals

Abstract

Background: Nurse-patient communication is one of the most important care relationships that affects the treatment process. The health action process approach (HAPA) has been used to explain a number of behaviors. However, this approach has not been used to explain nurse-patient communication. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate effective nurse-patient communication using this approach. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 nurses from public hospitals in the center of Iran were enrolled in the study. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to measure the HAPA constructs. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance with least significant difference (LSD) post hoc tests in SPSS as well as structural equation modeling using AMOUS software. Results: In the motivation phase, risk perception, outcome expectancies and task self-efficacy predicted 19 of variance in intention to communicate effectively. In the volitional phase, planning and action self-efficacy predicted 22 of variance in effective communication. The scores of HAPA constructs were different depending on the levels of effective communication. Conclusions: The model can serve as a reference framework to promote effective nurse-patient communication.