An Examination of Listening Concepts in the Healthcare Context: Differences Among Nurses, Physicians, and Administrators

Abstract

Abstract This study explores the perceived conceptualizations of listening in a healthcare context. The review of literature focusing on communication and listening in healthcare supports the belief that listening is an essential element in patient satisfaction. This study sought to determine which activities physicians, nurses and healthcare administrators perceive as similar or identical to listening. A survey of 203 health care professionals, using a web-based version of the Imhof-Janusik Listening Concepts Inventory (CitationImhof and Janusik, 2006) was completed. The results suggest the listening conceptualizations vary among physicians, nurses, and administrators with administrators exhibiting the most flexibility in their conceptualization of listening. It is concluded that these conceptualizations may play a critical role in the behaviors displayed by nurses, physicians and hospital administrators. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors acknowledge Steve Jeffers for his assistance with participant access and guidance with the institution's Internal Review Board. Notes Peninsula Regional Medical Center. (2002). Halo nursing volunteer program. Press release dated August 8, 2002.