Communication Competencies of Oncology Nurses in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper reports on part of a large study to identify competencies of oncology nurses in Malaysia. It focuses on oncology nurses' communications-related competency. As an important cancer care team member, oncology nurses need to communicate effectively with cancer patients. Literature shows that poor communication can make patients feel anxious, uncertain and generally not satisfied with their nurses' care. This paper deliberates on the importance of effective communication by oncology nurses in the context of a public hospital. Four focus group discussions were used in this study with 17 oncology/cancer care nurses from Malaysian public hospitals. The main inclusion criterion was that the nurses had to have undergone a post-basic course in oncology, or have work experience as a cancer care nurse. The findings indicated that nurses do communicate with their patients, patients' families and doctors to provide information about the disease, cancer treatment, disease recurrence and side effects. Nurses should have good communication skills in order to build relationships as well as to provide quality services to their patients. The paper concludes by recommending how oncology nursing competencies can be improved.

Does Clinical Experience Help Oncology Nursing Staff to Deal with Patient Pain Better than Nurses from other Displines? Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Amongst Nurses in a Tertiary Care in Malaysia

“…Therefore, most decisions are made without even consulting nurses, who are the main physical caregivers for patients. Clear communication between patients and nurses and nurses with medication prescribers often play an important role in achieving effective pain management and to enhance patients' rapport (Park et al, 2012;Maskor et al, 2013). Therefore, future research may need to reexamine our nurses' attitudes and communication with other medical professionals.…”

E-ISSN: 2289-1528 https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2018-3401-03 The Relationship Components of Communication Competence in the Direct Selling Process in Malaysia

“…An effective communicator is a person that can provide accurate information during a certain situation and later is capable to build trust and relationship (Maskor, Krauss, Muhamad & Nik Mahmood, 2013). Providing relevant business information is the action that would help the informants communicate eloquently and develop a good rapport.…”

“…This study has identified that the Initial Meeting Phase is the crucial stage for the informants in demonstrating their ability to communicate competently with others. Once they gain trust from these new relationships (Maskor et al, 2013), they start to level up their conversations to the next phase, the Meeting Phase. At this stage, they just focused on their own task which is to achieve their business meeting's goal.…”

Pencarian Maklumat Ujian Calitan: Pengaruh Interpersonal Sebagai Pengantara Dalam Hubungan Penggunaan Media Massa dengan Motivasi Menjalani Ujian Calitan (Seeking Information of Pap Smear Test: Interpersonal Influence as a Mediator between The Use of Mass Media and the Motivation to Conduct a Pap Smear Test)

“…Namun begitu, kajian tentang kanser serviks dalam bidang komunikasi masih sedikit. Walaupun terdapat kajian yang membincangkan komunikasi kesihatan namun tumpuannya adalah pada proses komunikasi di antara pakar perubatan dengan pesakit (Khan, Hassali, Hassali, & Al-Haddad, 2011;Nor Aida Maskor et al, 2013;Norazah Mohd Suki & Norbayah Mohd Suki, 2011;Tan et al, 2012). Oleh hal yang demikian, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti kesan pengantaraan penggunaan komunikasi interpersonal untuk mendapatkan maklumat tentang kanser serviks terhadap perkaitan antara penggunaan media massa dengan motivasi untuk menjalani ujian calitan.…”