Perceptions of Nurse–Surgeon Communication in the Operating Room: A Q-Methodology Study

Inadequate communication between nurses and surgeons can lead to patient injuries and increased healthcare costs. This study aimed to identify and understand subjective perceptions of communication between Korean nurses and surgeons in operating rooms (ORs), focusing on their values, beliefs, and attitudes. The Q-methodology was employed in this research, as it integrates the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A convenience sample of 46 participants classified 45 Q-statements by using a nine-point forced normal grid. The collected data were analyzed by using by-person factor analysis with the pc-QUANL program. This study revealed four distinct types of nurse-surgeon communication in the OR: professional communication, cynical conflict, passive task-oriented communication, and relationship-oriented endurance. These four types accounted for 58.7% of the total variance, distributed as follows: type 1 (38.7%), type 2 (9.8%), type 3 (5.4%), and type 4 (4.8%). The eigenvalues were 15.8, 4.1, 2.2, and 1.9, respectively. Based on these findings, tailored strategies to enhance nurse-surgeon communication according to each type are essential. Enhancing communication dynamics can lead to more effective interactions, improve patient care and safety, and boost job satisfaction among healthcare professionals. The results have significant implications for healthcare organizations and nursing managers aiming to improve nurses' communication skills. Additionally, this study provides insights for healthcare organizations in other countries regarding the communication competence traits among Korean health professionals.