The Challenges of Effective Communication Between Health Information Officers and Patients (a Case Study of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital).
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the study is to appraise the challenges of effective communication between health information officers and patients. A case study of university uyo teaching hospital; The specific objectives include:
- To find out if there is effective communication between health information officers and patients in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
- To investigate the impacts of effective communication between health information officers and patients in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
- To identify the factors militating against effective communication between health information officers and patients in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
The researchers extensively reviewed relevant idea of scholars on the challenges of patients in communication barrier, the functions of public relations in Nigerian health institution. Conceptual review: The challenges of patients in Nigeria have attracted the attention of many scholars local and international. The communication problems have been a source of problem to sick ones. According to Lee (2003) as cited in Nwabueze and Nwankwo (2016) without effective use of language , the physicians and patients relationship will seriously be impaired. This is in line with Street et al (2008) when they identify four major communication related factors that might course negative outcomes of patients-doctors relations. These factors include: misunderstanding, low satisfactory and reduced complain. In their observation these factors affects patients out comes either directly or indirectly. Nwabueze and nwankwo(2016) opined that the aims of establishing hospitals is patients. However, anybody can be a patients any time any day. The health workers are not free from sickness. According to Fong et al (2010) as cited in Thanny et al (2013) they identified many barriers to good communication in the doctor-patients relations these include; patients’ anxiety and fear, doctor burden of work, fear of litigation, fear of verbal abuse, and unrealistic patients expectations. The functions of public relations in hospitals, in the study of Nikky(2009) she identified the skills of public relations in hospital to include: – Understanding the patients confidentiality and privacy act -ability to communicate thoughts and ideas effectively and accurately -knowledge of the community and health care administration -analytical and problem solving ability -Knowing the hospital structure, department and support group familiar with the community where the hospital is locatedand Writing skill and ability to handle different types of media In the view of Regidor (2007) as cited in Hilmi and Emenyeonu (2014), the goal of public relations in health institution is to communicate and disseminate health information in a way that it can be interpreted by the individual and the society. It is only when the public relations officers function effectively that they can be considered usefully and excellent to the achievement of the organizational goals and objectives, (Dozier,1992). The practice of public relations in the health care, has changed together with the dramatic changes in health care, (Zoran,2010). However if health sectors should effectively use public relations, there will be a positive change in Nigeria health institutions.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine The Challenges of Effective Communication Between Health Information Officers and Patients. University Of Uyo Teaching Hospital forms the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain The Challenges of Effective Communication Between Health Information Officers and Patients. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Communication Between Health Information Officers And Patients
Summary
This study was on the Challenges of Effective Communication Between Health Information Officers and Patients. Four objectives were raised which included; To find out if there is effective communication between health information officers and patients in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, to investigate the impacts of effective communication between health information officers and patients in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and to identify the factors militating against effective communication between health information officers and patients in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The conditions of patients in Nigerian hospitals are very bad. The communication gap between patients and health providers in Nigeria hospitals can only be tackle by well trained public relation officers. The poor communication level of health workers have denied the patients access to fair hearing on their health statistics. The role of mass media cannot be denied any levels of the society. The social responsibility function of the media should prevail to enable the citizens enjoy their freedom of express and fair hearing.
Recommendation
The media should not be quite over the levels of neglect and bad treatment of the sick Nigerians who seek health care in the hospitals
- There should be a functional public relations units in all the public hospitals in Nigeria who will be assisting patients.
- The patients should be given faire hearing to their health condition.
- The public relations officers should not protect only the image of the hospital there serving but also their patients.
- Information and communication skills should be added in the curriculum of health education in Nigeria to enable health workers have good communication manner.
- Training and retraining should be conducted to already working health workers in the hospitals on the importance of good communication
References
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