Interventions to improve nurse–family communication in the emergency department: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim

To determine and describe what interventions exist to improve nurse–family communication during the waiting period of an emergency department visit.

Background

Communication between nurses and families is an area needing improvement. Good communication can improve patient outcomes, satisfaction with care and decrease patient and family anxiety.

Design

Scoping Review.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institution methodology: (1) identify the research question, (2) define the inclusion criteria, (3) use a search strategy to identify relevant studies using a three-step approach, (4) select studies using a team approach, (5) data extraction, (6) data analysis, and (7) presentation of results.

Data Sources

Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychInfo and grey literature were searched on 3 August 2022.

Results

The search yielded 1771 articles from the databases, of which 20 were included. An additional seven articles were included from the grey literature. Paediatric and adult interventions were found targeting staff and family of which the general recommendations were summarised into communication models.

Conclusion

Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of interventions using a standardised scale, understanding the specific needs of families, and exploring the communication models developed in this review.

Implications for Clinical Practice

Communication models for triage nurses and all emergency department nurses were developed. These may guide nurses to improve their communication which will contribute to improving family satisfaction.

Reporting Method

PRISMA-ScR.

Trial and Protocol Registration

Protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework, registration number 10.17605/OSF.IO/ETSYB.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.