The purpose of this quantitative project was to examine if the implementation of a mentoring program for Spanish speaking nurses facilitated improvement in communication. This project focused on answering did the improved communication resulting from the mentoring program lead to improved patient interactions and ultimately improved patient satisfaction as evidenced by their Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey results. The project studied 78 nurses randomly selected from the nurses on a Southwest telemetry unit. Nurses were then assigned the role of mentor or mentee. To qualify as a mentor, the nurse had to speak fluent English have an above average employment evaluation. The director of the unit approved the mentor mentee assignments. The communication section of the HCAHPS survey was compared from the time frame in 2016 to the exact same time frame in the year previously. A statistical analysis of the data revealed there was no difference in communication by nurses based on the mentor – mentee program outcomes as demonstrated on the HCAHPS survey results. It can be concluded that the mentor program may not be cost and time effective. The study recommends that hospital educators formulate policies that support effective communication of nurses while also considering the efficient use of nurses’ time and institutional financial resources.
El Paso, Texas is fewer than five miles from the United States-Mexico border and 81.2% of its residents identify as Hispanic. Many of these residents speak Spanish as their first language; the same is true for nurses working in the city and its surrounding areas. Approximately 80% of the nurses in a given unit at the Southeastern Hospital speak Spanish and 90% of the patients are English speaking. Patient satisfaction measured by the HCAHPS is low, and for this hospital it appears to result from the number of Spanish speaking nurses that serve patients in these units. Evidence suggests that difficulty communicating with patients is common for Spanish speaking nurses and those that speak other non-English languages. The result is a high turnover rate among nurses, as well as poor patient outcomes and satisfaction; these results are consistent with what has been observed at Southeastern Hospital.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Significance of the Practice Problem
- PICOT Question
- Practice Problem
- Practice Change
- PICOT
- Feasibility
- Theoretical Framework
- Theory of Transcultural Nursing
- Three-Step Model of Change
- Synthesis of the Literature
- Insufficient Language Proficiency
- Effects of Insufficient Language Proficiency
- Practice Recommendations
- Project Setting
- Project Vision, Mission, and Objectives
- Project Description
- Unfreezing
- Moving
- Refreezing
- Project Evaluation Plan
- Instrumentation and Data Collection
- Dissemination
- Conclusion
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This quantitative project aimed to investigate whether implementing a mentoring program for Spanish-speaking nurses could improve communication and ultimately lead to increased patient satisfaction. The research focused on analyzing the impact of improved communication on patient interactions and satisfaction scores, utilizing the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results.
- The impact of mentoring on communication skills of Spanish-speaking nurses.
- The correlation between improved communication and enhanced patient interactions.
- The effect of the mentoring program on patient satisfaction scores as measured by HCAHPS.
- The cost-effectiveness and feasibility of implementing a mentoring program.
- The need for hospital educators to develop policies supporting effective nurse communication.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The chapter introduces the problem of inadequate communication between Spanish-speaking nurses and English-speaking patients in a Southwest hospital. It highlights the prevalence of Spanish-speaking residents and nurses in the region, along with the challenges posed by language barriers in providing quality care. The chapter also discusses the impact of communication issues on patient satisfaction and nurse turnover.
- Significance of the Practice Problem: This chapter delves deeper into the significance of the communication issue, elaborating on the potential negative consequences for patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality. It provides evidence from existing research to demonstrate the prevalence and impact of communication barriers in healthcare settings.
- PICOT Question: The chapter outlines the specific research question driving the project, framing it within the PICOT format. This question focuses on the effectiveness of the mentoring program in improving communication skills and ultimately leading to increased patient satisfaction.
- Practice Problem: This chapter details the specific practice problem addressed by the project. It emphasizes the communication difficulties faced by Spanish-speaking nurses and their potential impact on patient satisfaction.
- Practice Change: The chapter describes the proposed practice change - the implementation of an English mentor group program for Spanish-speaking nurses. It highlights the rationale behind this intervention and its expected benefits.
- PICOT: This chapter provides a detailed explanation of the PICOT question, outlining the specific population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and time frame of the study.
- Feasibility: The chapter explores the feasibility of implementing the proposed practice change. It discusses the logistical considerations, potential challenges, and resources needed to successfully implement the mentoring program.
- Theoretical Framework: This chapter presents the theoretical foundation for the project. It explores relevant theories, such as the Theory of Transcultural Nursing and the Three-Step Model of Change, to provide a framework for understanding the study's concepts and expected outcomes.
- Synthesis of the Literature: This chapter summarizes relevant literature on insufficient language proficiency and its effects on patient care and satisfaction. It highlights existing research on the impact of communication barriers on healthcare outcomes.
- Practice Recommendations: The chapter provides practical recommendations for addressing the communication issues faced by Spanish-speaking nurses. It offers suggestions for developing policies and resources to support effective communication in healthcare settings.
- Project Setting: This chapter describes the specific setting of the project, including the hospital, the nursing unit, and the demographics of the population served. It provides context for understanding the study's findings.
- Project Vision, Mission, and Objectives: This chapter outlines the project's overall vision, mission, and specific objectives. It clarifies the project's goals and intended outcomes.
- Project Description: The chapter provides a detailed description of the project's implementation process, including the stages of unfreezing, moving, and refreezing. It explains the steps involved in implementing the mentoring program and how these stages contribute to achieving the desired outcomes.
- Project Evaluation Plan: This chapter describes the project's evaluation plan, including the instruments and data collection methods used. It outlines the process for measuring the effectiveness of the mentoring program and assessing its impact on patient satisfaction scores.
- Dissemination: The chapter discusses plans for disseminating the project's findings. It outlines the methods and audiences for sharing the results of the study.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This project primarily focuses on the intersection of communication, patient satisfaction, and language proficiency in healthcare settings. Key terms include mentoring, communication skills, Spanish-speaking nurses, patient interactions, HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey, and transcultural nursing. The study explores the feasibility and effectiveness of a mentoring program as a strategy for enhancing communication and improving patient satisfaction in a context where language barriers exist.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Tracey Soper (Author), 2017, Mentoring for the Spanish Speaking Nurse, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/381377
