Through Sensations: A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Nurses in Communicating to Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Most frequent kind of stroke is ischemic stroke, and patients who are diagnosed with this suffer from neurologic dysfunction due to sudden loss of blood circulation. Due to this, problems in communication may arise as the nurses might misinterpret the messages expressed by the patients. Although effective communication is common to nurse-patient relationships, there are no studies conducted about the different experiences of nurses in communicating to patients with ischemic stroke, since most of the studies focus on the broad definition of stroke that involves hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke.

METHODS

This study used qualitative method, particularly a phenomenological study that describes the experience of the nurses who communicate to patients with ischemic stroke through nonverbal communication. The phenomenon of this study explains the experiences, problems encountered and strategies used by the nurses as they communicate with the patients. The population of the study included nurses who handled patients with ischemic stroke. Their responses were highlighted through an in-depth interview with the six nurses working in De La Salle University Medical Center. Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis was used as a framework analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that Behavioral changes, Unconsciousness, Slurring of speech, and Incomprehension are the usual problems faced by the nurses in communicating to patients with ischemic stroke. Bryan et al. (2012) stated that many nurses are deficient in crucial proficiency and expertise in communicating effectively with patients who have communication impairments, for this reason; there is the occurrence of struggles in understanding the essentials of patients. For the strategies, these included demonstrating, using body language, seeking for help, using pictograms, and Using therapeutic communication. Various strategies in communication were used in nursing to allow the patients to meet their needs while restoring their health, and to lessen the difficulties in facing the nurse's challenges when it comes to communicating with their stroke patients.

DISCUSSIONS

Thus, behavioral changes, unconsciousness, slurring of speech, and incomprehension were the common themes on the problems encountered by the nurses. Contrarily, demonstrating, using body language, seeking for help, using pictogram, and using therapeutic communication were the common themes on the strategies used by the nurses to cope up with the problems.