Intensive care nurses' perspectives on the quality of nurse-patient communication in the prevention and management of delirium: A qualitative study

Background Nurses play a key role in the care of patients with delirium; however, there is a lack of research exploring intensive care nurses' communication-related experiences in this context. Purpose This qualitative study aims to explore nurses' experiences related to communication in the prevention and management of delirium in intensive care settings. Methods This descriptive qualitative study was conducted with nurses working in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. The sample consisted of 15 nurses. To ensure the analysis of the data, the content analysis method was used. Results Findings were categorized into five themes: (1) perceptions, (2) elements of effective communication, (3) obstacles to effective communication, (4) results of effective communication, and (5) results of ineffective communication. Conclusion The results revealed that nurses perceived communication in delirium management as an important therapeutic component of nursing care. In their view, effective communication supported patient care and family cooperation. Beyond individual efforts, organizational leaders may play a crucial role in improving delirium care by allocating adequate time and resources to structured educational programs that enhance communication competencies and delirium-specific knowledge.