Differences in perception between nurses and patients in Jordanian nurses' effectiveness in practicing communication skills

Communication skills are considered a significant component in a nurse-patient relationship and can influence the quality care outcome. The purpose of this study is to examine the difference in perception between nurses and patients related to the perception of nurses' effectiveness in practicing communication skills. This is a descriptive - correlational study that utilized a sample of 180 nurses and 178 patients from three major hospitals representing three health care sectors in Jordan. Data were collected in regards to the perception of nurses' effectiveness in practicing communication skills. Nurses had higher levels of perception of effectiveness in practicing communication skills [M=4.03, SD=.22] than their patients [M= .63, SD=.21] and this difference was statistically different [t=- 10.84, p< .001]. No statistical differences were found between patients and nurses in regards to personal and demographic characteristics [P> .05]. Recommendations: It is recommended that there should be programs to improve nurses' communication skills, with further research to evaluate its effectiveness. More work is needed to improve nurses' ability to evaluate their communication skills and their impact on patients' quality of care

Health concerns and risk behaviors among university students in Jordan

Recently, more attention has been given to the youth risk behaviors and factors associated with their physical and mental wellbeing. University students in Jordan are under-researched and little is known about their health status. The aim of this study was to describe the health concerns and risk behaviors of the Jordanian university students. A survey of 800 university students from six universities in Jordan was conducted. The Adolescent Health Inventory was used to describe the risk behaviors and health concerns. The following were reported as always concerns: 10% of students concerned about their general health, 18.8% have vision problems, 13.5% have headache and teeth problems, 21% feeling lonely, 20% are confused about future, 7.7% feeling depressed, 13.5% smoke tobacco, and 11% have sexual abuse. Substance abuse problems have been strongly correlated with parents' use of tobacco, and suicidal ideation, troubles with laws and university, troubles with sexual potency and parents' use of drug/alcohol. Mental health nurses and counselors have to screen students in their periodic assessment for risk behaviors and to make a connection between physical complains and psychosocial complains