Adequacy of clinical communication and satisfaction between physicians and family members of patients during COVID-19.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, communication between patients and their treatment teams was severely limited due to restriction laws, which had a devastating impact on both patients and their families. This study examined the adequacy of clinical communication and sufficiency between the treating physicians and relatives of patients with COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive, retrospective study using a validated questionnaire. The study targeted the relatives of patients admitted to King Saud University Medical City (KSUMS) in Riyadh from March 2020 to May 2022. The contact information of the patients' relatives was retrieved from the hospital's electronic admission system (e-SEHAI). A phone questionnaire was completed after contacting identified family members or relatives. RESULTS: The total number of completed questionnaire responses was 404. Of these, 216 (54%) of participants were males, and the remaining 46% were females. Participants comprised parents (41.3%), partners (17.4%), siblings (10%) and other relatives (31.2%). Forty-four percent of participants were satisfied with the quality of communication of the treating team, while 113 (28%) were not satisfied, and 113 (28%) preferred not to express their views. Sixty-nine percent of participants considered consultants the best way to communicate with relatives, while only 17% chose residents. One hundred and forty-seven (36%) of the participants believed that too much communication would not interfere with the clinical work of the physicians, while only 18% agreed it would, and 45% were undecided. CONCLUSIONS: While the authors found a moderate level of participants' satisfaction regarding physician communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study identified gaps and areas for potential improvement. The findings could guide more effective hospital communication strategies in the future and better approaches for patient care and family satisfaction.

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