Evaluation of the communication skills of operating room staff

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate operating room staff communication skills. Methods The Communication Skills Assessment Scale and staff information form were used to collect data. The sample group included 179 staff: 62 nurses (34.6%), 73 surgeons (40.8%), and 44 anaesthetists (24.6%). Results Staff that are 51 years or older, have 21 years or more job experience and working years in the current unit, and nurses' communication skills scores are statistically high (p < 0.05). The nurses' communication skills score was higher than the scores of anaesthetists and surgeons. The communication skills score increased with age, job experience and working years in the same unit. Conclusion The results provide direction on how leaders can improve communication between OR staff. In order to evaluate the communication skills of OR staff more concretely it is suggested that the results of studies which were carried out in this subject at different hospitals are increased. © 2017 Elsevier Inc.