A comparison of the verbal interactions of qualified nurses and nursing auxiliaries in primary, team and functional nursing wards.

The purpose of this study was to compare the differential contribution to patient care of qualified nurses and nursing auxiliaries in primary, team and functional nursing wards using a measurable qualitative indicator, nurse-patient verbal interaction. Twelve qualified nurses and 12 nursing auxiliaries were chosen randomly in each organizational type. Data were collected using non-participant observation and a computerized event recorder. Regardless of staff grade, nursing staff in wards practising primary nursing gave patients more choice, general explanations about their care and, in the afternoon, spent more time seeking verbal feedback from patients about their care. Implications of these findings for the employment of nursing auxiliaries in elderly care wards are discussed.