An exploratory study of nurse aides’ communication behaviours: giving ‘positive regard’ as a strategy

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the communication behaviours and strategies used by socially skilled geriatric nurse aides working with residents in long term care facilities. BACKGROUND: Communication skills are recognized as tools for establishing relationships and accomplishing care related tasks. A small but growing research literature exists within gerontology around geriatric nurse aide/resident communication. The present study was intended to contribute to this literature. DESIGN: This study used an exploratory qualitative design involving personal interviews with geriatric nurse aides. METHODS: Interviewers carried out 90-minute interviews with 16 nurse aides who worked at an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Of interest was the extent to which established systems for coding interactions could be used to code nurse aide/resident interactions, or whether new categories would emerge. RESULTS: The novel finding that all of the aides used a communication strategy that could be characterized as 'giving positive regard', defined as acknowledging the resident, treating the resident with respect. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The category of 'giving positive regard' included specific behaviours which can be included as content in communication skill training programs.