Carol W. Kennedy

A new look at interruptions

The purpose of this study was to examine the assumptions underlying the communicative act of interruption. Six graduate student groups involving 35 subjects were videotaped. The data for the study were 255 transcribed interruption sequences. A category system was developed and used to code the data. The results indicated that slightly over half of the interruptions served a confirming function, and the remaining interruptions were disconfirmations or rejections. No significant differences between males and females were found in the types of speeches produced. However, cross‐sex interruptions occurred significantly more often than expected.

Collaboration between local public health and community mental health agencies

Public health agencies (PHA) and community mental health agencies (CMHA) generally are organizationally and functionally autonomous. Collaboration between PHA and CMHA was explored in a statewide survey of nursing directors of PHA (n = 135) and executive directors of CMHA (n = 214). Findings indicated staff did not know each other well; clients, funds, and information were infrequently exchanged; public health nurses rarely were included in planning for the care of those with mental illness; and satisfaction with relationships was minimal. Path analysis was used to test an interagency collaboration model. Awareness of staff from other agencies increased satisfaction with interagency processes and interagency relationships.

INTERRUPTIONS and NONVERBAL GENDER DIFFERENCES

The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in selected nonverbal behaviors associated with interruptions. Six graduate student groups involving 18 female and 17 male subjects were videotaped. The data for the study were 140 cross-sex interruption sequences and a matched, randomly selected sample of noninterruption sequences. A category system using self-related activity, gestures, body lean, facial expression and eye gaze was developed and used to code the data. There were no significant findings related to interruptions in the categories of self-related activity or gestures. Women leaned away from the group significantly more often than did men and when leaning away, women were more likely to be interrupted. Women were also more likely to be interrupted when smiling than were men, and women smiled significantly more when taking the speaking turn. Finally, women were interrupted significantly more often than men when they did not look at the turn-taker. The high educational status of the subjects was examined in the discussion of the findings.

Nurse-Physician Communication

The quality of communication in interprofessional relationships was investigated. Forty nurse-physician interactions were videotaped in a laboratory setting. Nurses and physicians were found to be generally confirming (87%) in their interactions. No statistical differences were found in confirmation proportions between nurses and physicians nor between men and women. Further, no statistical differences were found when physicians and nurses spoke with men or women of the other discipline. The implications of these findings and the limitations of the laboratory setting are discussed.

Confirmation and disconfirmation in nurse/physician communication

This research used a confirmation/disconfirmation framework to analyze communication in nurse‐physician dyads in an attempt to better understand the quality of these inter‐professional relationships. Nurses and physicians were found to be primarily confirming (87%) in their interactions. No differences were found in confirmation proportions between nurses and physicians nor between men and womem. The implications of these findings and the limitations of the laboratory setting are discussed.

Interpersonal communication between nurses and patients.

Many nurse theorists consider the nurse-patient relationship to be a central component in their conceptualizations of nursing. Most theop fists and practitioners recognize that the nursepatient relationship is developed through interaction and is the essence of nursing. Nursepatient interaction is made possible through communication, a process through which individuals create meaning. Through this communication process the nurse and patient influence one another and the patients health can be influenced therapeutically and supportively (Kim, 1987).

The Burden of Disease in Those With Serious Mental and Physical Illnesses

BACKGROUND: Clients with severe mental illness are known to have higher morbidity than the general population, but little is known about their perception of disease burden. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the disease burden in a cohort of community-dwelling persons diagnosed with severe mental illness. STUDY DESIGN: This was a descriptive study that included: interviews, measures of blood pressure, height and weight, and chart audits from 109 volunteers. RESULTS: Mean scores on the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form–12 (MOS SF-12) were compared by gender and five chronic illnesses. The participants had lower scores on the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health components of the MOS SF-12 than the general population. Participants with depression, hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, and chronic lung disease scored lower than the general population on the PCS and MCS. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that clients with severe mental illness and physical health problems experience a greater disease burden than do their counterparts in the general population.

Confirming communication of nurses in interaction with physicians.

Communication is an essential component of the theory and practice of nursing. This study used a confirmation/disconfirmation framework to describe the communication characteristics of 40 registered staff nurses videotaped in a decision-making task with a resident physician. Nurses were found to be confirming in 87% of their discourse. Differences in confirmation proportions were not found when educational preparation and sex were examined. Older nurses and nurses with more years of professional experience were more confirming in their communication than younger and less experienced nurses. Implications of the study are discussed.

Psychiatric symptoms in a community-based medically ill population.

Twenty-five home health nurses used the Psychiatric Symptom Assessment Scale to assess the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in a convenience sample of 176 medically ill clients in their caseloads. Psychiatric symptoms were observed in 74% of the clients, with somatic concerns, anxiety statements, depressive mood, tension, and helpless/hopeless statements being the most prevalent symptoms. Although most symptoms were rated as mild or moderate, several clients had severe symptoms. Implications for nursing care are discussed.