An Exploratory Study of Supportive Communication During Shift Report

Communication is repeatedly cited as the critical core for all aspects of nursing. Little research has been done on the actual communication behaviors of nurses in the clinical setting and, in particular, the interactions among the nurses operating as leader-follower dyads. In this study, 16 nurse leader-follower dyads were videotaped during shift report in a hospital setting to record their verbal and nonverbal behaviors and patterns. Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership was the guiding framework for this repeated-measures single-case study. The Target Behavior Instrument, an investigator-developed research tool based on Hersey and Keilty’s Interaction Influence Analysis, was used to identify the individual and dyad communication behaviors. In this exploratory analysis, few supporting behaviors were observed; none were observed among the leaders. Recommendations include the need for a communication process that promotes clarity of purpose, unit socialization, and outcomes management. The findings suggest that the shift report has the potential to affect staff retention and quality of patient care. Measurement of staff interaction behaviors may predict the effect of the dyads on each other, on group dynamics, and on outcomes of desired care. SOJNR, Issue 3, Vol.3, p. 2