Communication skills and organizational silence as predictors of perioperative competence in operating room nurses: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to examine the collective associations of teamwork, communication skills, and organizational silence on the perioperative competence of operating room (OR) nurses and identify the key determinants of their competence. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 nurses from five hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires on teamwork, communication skills, organizational silence, and perioperative competence. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of competence. The multiple regression model was statistically significant (F = 10.82, p <.001), explaining 45% of the variance in perioperative competence. While teamwork was significant in univariate analysis, it was no longer a significant predictor in the regression model, in which communication skills (β = 0.47, p <.001), along with clinical career in the OR (β = 0.22 to 0.58), served as a significant positive predictor. Organizational silence (β = -0.19, p =.008) was a significant negative predictor. The findings highlight that clinical career in the OR and communication skills are essential determinants for enhancing perioperative competence, while organizational silence poses a significant barrier. These results underscore the critical need for developing management strategies that foster professional tenure and open communication while actively mitigating organizational silence to elevate performance in the OR. Not applicable.