Patients\u27 preferences for nurses\u27 nonverbal expressions of warmth during nursing rounds and administration of oral medication

Nursing involves deep human interpersonal relationships between nurses and patients. But in modern Korea, the nurse-patient relationship tends to be ritualistic and mechanestic. Patients usually express the hope that nurses be more tender and kind. Patients expect nurses to express their warmth especially through nonverbal behaviour. This study was conducted to identify patients\u27 preferences for nurse\u27s nonverbal expressions of warmth. Through the confirmation of these preferences, nurses may learn how to enhance their interpersonal relationships with patients. Subjects for the study were 73 patients who had been admitted to a university teaching hospital for at least three days and agreed to be interviewed by the investigator. The interactions were studied nonverbal expressions of warmth during nursing rounds and administration of oral medication. The interview schedule was especially designed by the investigator to measure the nurse\u27s posture, the distance between the nurse and the patient, the nurse\u27s eye contact, facial expression, hand motion and head nodding. Data analysis included frequencies, percentages and X2-test. The results of this study may be summerized as follows: 1. Patient\u27s preferences for nurse\u27s nonverbal expressions of warmth during nursing rounds. Preferred nurse\u27s posture was sitting (50.7%) or standing (49.3%) opposite the patient. Preferred distance between the nurse and the patient was close to the bed (93.2%), less than 1m. Preferred eye contact was directed to the patient\u27s eyes or their affected part (41.1%). Preferred facial expression was a smile (97.3%). Preferred hand motions were light gestures (41.1%). Patients preferred head nodding which approved their own opinions (69.9%). 2. Patient\u27s preferences for nurse\u27s nonverbal expressions of warmth during administration of oral medication. Preferred nurse\u27s posture was standing and waiting to confirm that the medication had been taken (58.9%). Preferred distance from the patient was at arm\u27s length, 0.5-1m (64.4%). Patients preferred direct eye contact (58.9%) and a smile (94.5%). Patients preferred that the nurse put the medicine directly the patient\u27s hand (64.4%). Whether the nurse nodded her head or not was not considered important. 3. The relation of general characteristics and patient\u27s preferences for nurse\u27s nonverbal expressions of warmth during nursing rounds and administration of oral medication. During nursing rounds, the age of subjects (p = 0.010) and the standard of education (p = 0.026) related to the distance between the nurse and the patient. The sick hospital ward related to the eye contact (p = 0.017) and facial expression (p = 0.010).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS