Content analysis of nonprofessional caregiver-patient interactions in long-term care facilities.

A content analysis of tape-recorded, nonprofessional caregiver-patient interactions was undertaken to determine the nature and content of conversation during the provision of morning care in long-term care facilities. Caregivers initiated and directed the majority of topics, generally keeping the patient as the focus of the interaction. Patients and caregivers initiated different types of topics, with caregivers being more interested in care activities, social conversation, care environment, and patients' physical health. Patients introduced topics of a more personal nature: social systems, reminiscences, and hopes and plans. It was concluded that nonprofessional caregivers require communication skills training. Questions were raised about the effects of caregiver communication on patients in long-term care facilities.