The effect of professionalism on the professional communication between nurses and physicians: A phenomenological study

Background and Purpose: Professionalism refers to the professional character and manners of an individual, which encompasses different attributes and a lifestyle reflecting responsibility and commitment. Effective communication between physicians and nurses enhances the quality of patient care, reduces medical errors. Over the years, there have been repeated admonitions to improve nurse-physician communication, which is influenced by several factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of professionalism on the professional communication between nurses and physicians. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the phenomenological approach developed by Husserl. Semi-structured interviews (n=15) were performed on eight nurses and seven physicians engaged in the hospitals of different cities in Iran in 2014. Participants were asked to describe their experiences regarding the professional communication between nurses and physicians. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data analysis was performed using Colaizzi’s method. Results: Four main themes emerged from data analysis, including professionalism, communication patterns, confounders, and communication usefulness, the most important of which was professionalism. In this study, we focused on professionalism and its subthemes, including autonomy, dignity and respect, responsibility and preparedness. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, professionalism plays a key role in establishing efficient professional communications. Therefore, it is recommended that structured communication interventions be implemented in clinical environments in order to improve the quality of nurse-physician communication.