Experiencing the nonverbal expression of nurses : a perspective among patients suffering from physical and emotional pain

Date of Completion

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Keywords

Nurse-Patient Relations, Pain Management, Communication

Abstract

This study aimed to describe De La Salle University- Medical Center and Dr. Jose P. Rizal Hospital and National Medical Research Center patients' lived experiences on the nonverbal expressions of nurses while they were experiencing physical and emotional pain. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used since the study dealt with different patients experiencing physical and emotional pain. Ten patients coming from De La Salle University-Medical Center and Dr. Jose P. Rizal Hospital and National Medical Research Center at Dasmariñas, Cavite who had experienced the non verbal expressions of nurses while they were suffering from physical and emotional pain were chosen as participants of the study. There were five male and five females. Their ages ranges from 21-73 years old. There were four themes the researchers identified and verified from exhaustive descriptions and these were: (a) A Contact Through the Skin (b) Listening to the Sound of Silence (c) Bound by Space (d) Face-to-Face Encounter Based on the exhaustive descriptions, the experience of patients while in physical or emotional pain on the nonverbal expressions of nurses was formulated. From the analysis of data, the researchers reached a number of findings. Patients who were in pain had increased sensitivity on the nurses' nonverbal expressions fearing that these would inflict more pain to them. Among the nonverbal expressions of the nurses which the patients primarily noticed during the period of their hospitalization were: touch, silence, space, and facial expressions. These identified nonverbal interventions of nurses were most of the time used, and without verbal explanations, they could bring anxiety to the patients. The nonverbal expressions strengthened the verbal expressions being spoken. They communicated feelings effectively to the patients. They were powerful tools in communicating interest, care, comfort and encouragement to patients in general. The responses of patients to the nonverbal intervention of nurses varied depending on the individual perception of the patients. The nurses' own nonverbal behavior to patients in pain significantly affected the patients' response.

Comments

Call Number: TH NM 03 09

Location: Research Commons

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