Quality of communication at the Division of Pediatric Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Center

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the level of parental satisfaction and experience with diff erent aspects of communication with medical personnel during hospitalization of their children. The study included eighty-fi ve parents of children hospitalized at the Division of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Department of Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Center in Zagreb. On the day of discharge from the hospital, the parents voluntarily fi lled in the specially designed questionnaire. In most cases, parents rated medical personnel as professional, kind and sympathetic. They understood information provided by medical personnel and physicians made sure that the parents fully understood what had been communicated to them. Most of the given information was about the current medical condition of the child, and the course and procedures of treatment. All participating parents consider professional psychosocial support as an important asset on the ward. Regarding the support given by medical personnel, most parents stated that it was provided by both the physician and the nurse. When asked to rate their satisfaction with communication with medical personnel in general, the majority of parents stated that they were very satisfi ed (75% very satisfi ed with communication with physicians and 82% very satisfi ed with communication with nurses). In conclusion, the relationship between medical personnel and patient family is important in the process of the child and adolescent treatment. Appropriate communication between medical personnel and parents reduces the parents’ stress caused by their children sickness and treatment and improves the course and outcome of treatment.