Communication challenges with older adults patients during clinical learning: A qualitative study among students nurse in Indonesia

Faculty of Health Sciences, Jenderal Soedirman University, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: rahmi.setiyani@unsoed.ac.id

Abstract

One of consequences of population aging is the increase of health care utilization by elderly population. Student nurse who will work as a professional nurse in the future are expected to be able to communicate effectively with elderly patients, in order to delivering high quality care. This research aimed at exploring communication challenges with older adult patients experienced by students nurse during clinical practice in Indonesia. In-depth interview conducted among 6 final year students nurse, who selected using purposive sampling method. Data were analyzed using Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory. There are four categories of participant’s experience communicating with elderly patients were emerged from the data analysis: 1) “less functioning”; 2) „kromo’ language as a symbol of respect; 3) “bridging the gap” and 4) “intimate connection”. The present findings revealed that communication challenges could be either from patient or nurse’s students. Improving communication skills by learning the basics of elderly first language (Jawa “Kromo”) are necessary to students nurse for an effective communication with elderly. Developing constructive view to elderly is also pivotal for successful intergenerational communication.