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Journal of Applied Health Sciences = Časopis za primijenjene zdravstvene znanosti, Vol. 6 No. 1, 2020.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24141/1/6/1/6

Alternative and Augmentative Communication in Hospital – Nurses’ Knowledge, Experience and Attitudes

Lada Perković ; Zdravstveno veleučilište u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Anita Klarić ; Klinička bolnica Dubrava, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Mirna Kostović Srzentić ; Zdravstveno veleučilište u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

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Abstract

Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) improves quality of patient care and their satisfaction. There is a lack of research about AAC in Croatian hospitals. The objective of this study was to explore nurses’ communication with patients with complex communication needs, as well as their knowledge and attitudes regarding AAC.

Subjects were 121 nurses from one of the largest Croatian hospitals. Survey questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the subjects’ experience with patients with communication difficulties, their knowledge, experience and education about AAC. Attitudes regarding the implementation of communication boards in hospital were assessed with semantic differential type scales.

Over 50% of the respondents were in regular contact with patients whose communication was disrupted due to the stroke, cognitive and sensory impairment, degenerative diseases, medication, severe pain or because they don’t speak Croatian, but yet the majority of the respondents are vaguely or not at all acquainted with the meaning of AAC and had no education about it. Majority of the respondents use simple AAC methods for communication about patient basic needs and only a small number of the respondents use AAC for therapeutic communication. Lack of education and resources / aids are perceived as major barriers. The respondents have positive attitudes about the possible introduction of communication boards or cards into their practice, especially older and/or more experienced subjects. Results indicates that nurses are in a great need for education about AAC. Education about AAC should be included in health communication curriculum at all levels of the nursing education.

Keywords

alternative and augmentative communication; complex communication needs; nurses; education

Hrčak ID:

235100

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/235100

Publication date:

4.3.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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