The Importance of Bedside Manner in Nursing

The importance of bedside manner in nursing has created a standard of care. In general, nurses are under intense pressure to perform effectively and provide a quality patient experience. On top of this, hospitals are constantly striving to improve the quality care provided to patients in order to ensure their safety and success. This increased attention emphasizes the need for nurses who have an empathetic bedside manner that can ease anxieties and respond appropriately.

A research study conducted by HealthLeaders Media found that patients experienced confusion and fear when receiving bad nursing behaviors such as yelling or abruptness. These poor experiences cause patients to wonder if they will survive the incident. The study also found that hospitals need to increase the standard of care in order to meet patient expectations. The participants in the study ranked bedside manner as the second most important factor related to the quality of care they received.

Another study conducted by HealthLeaders Media evaluated how hospital executives feel about bedside manner. One executive said, "It is not education it is empathy." This comment confirms that being empathetic towards patients reduces anxiety and improves overall well-being. In addition, an article by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital states that it is difficult not to improve patient satisfaction when nurses have a positive attitude about their job. According to Dr. Alexander, "Nurses are not just patient care technicians; they are the face of their institutions. They have to be very positive to be effective."

Dr. Alexander's statement supports the research study in that patients will feel more comfortable with nurses if they feel at ease and enjoy their time spent in the hospital. A new approach to nursing is needed for nurses to improve patient satisfaction and provide better care for patients. The HealthLeaders Media study reported that hospitals should review their own policies and practices related to bedside manner so they can help nurses improve their relationships with patients. Nurses who adopt a more positive attitude towards their job also provide a better patient experience, which benefits everyone involved.

There are many sources that provide a broad definition of bedside manner and the many ways it relates to nursing. Some sources, such as the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and NURSING101, defined it as an "often unconscious method of behavior based on years of experience in relating to patients." According to Dr. Lilliam Malabanan, bedside manner refers to how nurses interact with patients in a way that is empathetic and concerned for their well being. In addition, Dr. Malabanan notes that having good communication skills plays a large role in determining how effective a nurse will be at communicating with patients. This is because patients will be more inclined to listen to a nurse who understands their situation and communicates with them in a way they can understand. 

One of the first studies that examined the relationship between bedside manner and patient satisfaction was conducted by researchers from the University of California Davis. The study found that nurses who demonstrated better bedside manner were rated as more proficient by patients than those nurses that were rated as having poor bedside manner. This finding shows how bedside manner contributes to effective communication between nurses and patients, which decreases patient anxiety and increases overall patient satisfaction. Dr. Alexia Torke conducted a study on "the importance of daily RN-MD interactions." She found that doctor-nurse interactions are important because they can affect the type of care patients receive on a daily basis.

Because of studies such as these, organizations such as the American Nurses Association have adopted initiatives to promote better communication between nurses and doctors. The Nursing2010 website states that the goal of this initiative is to ensure collaborations between nurses and doctors in order to provide high quality patient care. An article from the University at Buffalo School of Nursing explains how an initiative called "EMPATHY" was developed in order to enhance nurse-physician communication in pediatrics. Empathy refers to "the ability remember, express and respond to the emotions of others." This initiative is an example of how organizations are striving to promote better communication between nurses and doctors. Nurses will be more effective at delivering quality patient care when their bedside manner is positive.

"It has been said that bedside manner means "how a nurse treats a patient". Doing so involves establishing rapport and conveying warmth, trust, empathy, respect and competence." Another article from Emotional Intelligence Network explains that creating a warm climate for patients will increase their comfort level during healthcare encounters. The article adds that employers value employees who have good bedside manner because it affects how productive they are at work. This also suggests that employers are more likely to promote employees who treat their colleagues and patients with respect.

One study conducted by researchers from the University of Buffalo considered the importance of empathy in healthcare. The researchers found that empathy is patient-centered and "encompasses a nurse's caring, concern, and compassion for patients." In addition, the study argued that nursing schools should teach students how to develop good bedside manner because it enhances a nurse's ability to communicate with patients. Another study published in Health & Social Work also considered how an empathetic attitude towards patients can decrease patient anxiety. It recommended that nurses should maintain an open dialogue with doctors so they can receive support when caring for terminally ill patients.

Another study published in the American Journal of Critical Care Nursing proposed that nurses should focus on bedside manner because it improves communication with patients, which allows for more effective patient care. The study argues that "bedside manner is an important component of patient care and when properly implemented can lead to a better overall experience for the patient." In addition, the Australian Medical Association published an article on their website where they acknowledge that patient-centered care is a priority for healthcare providers. A quote from their article states, "Patients are more likely to remember their hospital stay if they feel listened to and cared for throughout the process. Being heard and understood is a memorable experience; something which will be remembered long after discharge."

According to the University at Buffalo School of Nursing, nurses should strive to improve their bedside manner in order to provide better patient care. They explain that good bedside manner has a direct impact on patient satisfaction. In turn, patients who are satisfied with the care they received are more likely to recommend the nurse's hospital or clinic. The article also suggests that nurses should develop a positive outlook on life in general because it can affect how they interact with patients. Nurses who have a positive attitude towards their job are able to develop better patient relationships, which ultimately leads to higher patient satisfaction rating.

Conclusion:

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Healthcare is an enormous industry in the United States, expected to reach a valuation of as high as 2.4 Trillion Dollars by 2018. The United States spends more on healthcare per capita than any other country in the world. However, healthcare costs are growing faster than economic growth and available resources in most countries which makes the question of how to best allocate healthcare resources very important. In this article, we have discussed four main ways that patients can improve their experience with health care services.