The influence of the use of diagnostic resources on nurses' communication with simulated patients during admission interviews.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine how the use of diagnostic resources influences nurses' communication during admission interviews.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed. Actors simulated patients based on case studies. We analyzed transcriptions of 60 interviews and video recordings using the Roter Method of Interaction Process Analysis.
Findings: Nurses mainly asked closed-ended questions. The use of knowledge sources, such as forms in the PES format or an assessment format, affected communication significantly in several aspects.
Conclusion: Prestructured forms may promote comprehensive interviews, but nurses need to be aware that using certain kinds of diagnostic resources may hinder them from asking open-ended questions.
Practice Implications: Nurses need to increase their use of open-ended questions.
(© 2013, The Authors. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge © 2013, NANDA International.)