The Relationship between Therapeutic Communication and Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care

Background: Therapeutic communication is an essential approach to establishing mutual trust between nurses and patients while delivering accurate information. It is expected to enhance patients’ understanding of their illness and contribute to positive changes in their condition. Patient satisfaction reflects their evaluation of the healthcare services received, based on a comparison between expectations and actual experiences. This study aims to investigate the connection between therapeutic communication and patient satisfaction with nursing care. Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational design with a cross-sectional approach. The population consisted of 150 individuals, from which 66 participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a therapeutic communication questionnaire and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the Spearman Rank test. Results: The results of the study showed that most patients in the Lidwina-Yosep Room perceived the nurses' therapeutic communication as good, and the majority expressed satisfaction with the nursing services received. Statistical analysis yielded a p-value of 0.015 (p < 0.05) and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.298, indicating a significant and positive correlation between therapeutic communication and patient satisfaction. Conclusion: The study found that nurses’ therapeutic communication in the Lidwina-Yosep Room at Santa Elisabeth Hospital Medan was generally effective, as perceived by most patients. It is recommended that nurses continue to develop and strengthen their therapeutic communication skills to further improve patient satisfaction.