Staff Communications on the Medical and Surgical Services: A Research Note.

Patterns of informal, verbal communication among staff of the medical and surgical services of the University Hospital and Clinics of the J. Hillis Miller Health Center were studied through observation of conversations between two or more persons. Results indicate that there was a significantly greater degree of lateral communication at this Health Center than was reported. Patterns of communication were not significantly different between the medical and surgical services. Conversations were typically frequent, brief, between two persons, and centered on the clerks of the floor. While the importance of effective communication among the medical and health-related professions is generally recognized, little has been written about informal oral communication in general hospitals. Written communications are used widely, but these are the least effective methods of producing understanding. The importance of oral communication to patient care is detailed.