OBJECTIVE: Communication with critically ill patients in intensive care settings generates specific challenges for nursing staff, and demands well-developed skills. METHODS: A study was conducted in two phases using qualitative methods to characterise and standardise verbal communication used with patients. The first phase consisted of a systematic search and content analysis of the literature concerning communication and verbal stimulation of unconscious patients. RESULTS: The results of the content analysis were then used in phase two and informed the development of a standardised stimulus message.There appear to be four main problem areas: basic difficulty in communicating with a patient who cannot respond; pressures of the working environment; limited knowledge about unconscious patients' needs; limited detailed knowledge of why or how to communicate with unconscious patients. CONCLUSION: The stimulus developed, has been shown to facilitate the communication with the unconscious patients.
Communication; Critical illness; Critical care; Nursing care; Unconsciousness