Selected aspects of patient communication and occupational burnout among nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim. The purpose of the study was to assess how perceived verbal and non-verbal communication, occupational burnout, age, having children and satisfaction with job performance interact with communication with patients among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material and methods. Total number of 1187 female nurses, who declared that they work with patients on a daily basis, were included in the analyses. The mean age of the respondents was 50.4 (SD = 10.1) years. The study used the author’s questions relating to perceived verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as the HPCSS-12 (Health Professionals Communication Scale) and BAT-12 (Burnout Assessment Tool) scales.

Results. In the linear regression model perceived importance of non-verbal communication (b = 0.135; p<0.001) and emotional impairment measured by BAT-12 (b = -0.092; p = 0.003), proved to be the main predictors of the total HPCSS-12 score. Age (b = -0.085; p = 0.003), satisfaction with achievements at work (b = 0.082; p = 0.007), having children (b = 0.072; p = 0.012) and perceived importance of verbal communication (b=0,082; p=0,014) were found to be further predictors.

Conclusions. It is important to implement expert training and continue educating nurses in areas related to proper communication, which will allow them to respond adequately and humanely to patients’ expectations.