The relationship between physicians and nurses in hospitals affiliated with Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The establishment of a healthy relationship between healthcare professionals is required for resolving healthcare issues. The professional relationship between physicians and nurses are quite decisive and vital factor for patient care. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the quality of relationship between physicians and nurses in hospitals affiliated with Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, a cross-sectional method was used. Nurses working in hospitals affiliated with Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran were selected randomly. A demographic data and a 32-item questionnaire related to the professional relationship between physicians and nurses were used for data collection. Of 160 nursing staff 96 nurses returned the questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for data analysis via the SPSS software.

Results: About 75.8% of the nurses were female and 76.8% held a bachelor's degree. Also, 86.4% of them had rotational shift works. Many of them (66.2%) held below 15 years of work experience and 59.5% received no reward to make a relationship with physicians. Moreover, 76.8% of the samples mentioned that non-existence of fixed work shifts and extra shifts created stressful and tedious conditions leading to ineffective nurse-physician relationships.

Conclusions: There were major shortcomings within nurse-physician relationships. Hence, the promotion of physicians’ knowledge on nurses’ career and nurses’ welfare is required for advancing professional relationships between nurses and physicians.