Background: The ability of physicians and nurses to work together as a unified team is essential to improve outcomes, error and risk reduction, and optimum care. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between nurses’ communication skills and nurse-physician relationship and collaboration in Alborz hospital of Karaj in 2008.
Materials and methods: In this descriptive–correlative study, 100 nurses entered the study by convenience sampling. Data were collected by self-report questionnaire. The instruments for gathering data were included sample selection and demographic data form, communication skills questionnaire, nurse-doctor relationship questionnaire and nurse-physician collaboration questionnaire.
Results: There was significant positive correlation between communication skills and nurse-physician relationship (P<0.001), but significant correlation was not found between communication skills and nurse-physician collaboration. Staff shortage (72%), government policies (52%) and failure of communication skills (67%) were the most effective factors on nurse-physician relationship.
Conclusion: This study showed that appropriate communication skills increases nurse-physician relationship, but it doesn’t affect on nurse-physician collaboration in the management of patients. Interventions for increasing nurses' communication skills can improve nurse-physician relationship.
Zeyghami Mohammadi S, Haghighi S. The association between nurses’ communication skills and nurse-physician relationship and collaboration in Alborz hospital of Karaj in 2008. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2009; 19 (2) :121-127 URL: http://tmuj.iautmu.ac.ir/article-1-201-en.html