Evaluating the Impact of Nurses’ Competencies on Patient Communication and Healthcare Outcomes

This study evaluated the impact of nurses’ communication competencies on patient communication and healthcare outcomes at Bagumbayan Hospital in Sultan Kudarat. Guided by Hildegard Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory and Irwin M. Rosenstock’s Health Belief Model, the research examines how competencies such as clarity, empathy, adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and active listening influence patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and overall well-being. A descriptive-correlational design was employed, involving total population sampling of 37 nurses and purposive sampling of 275 patients. Researcher-made questionnaires were validated and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, weighted means, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that nurses demonstrated high levels of communication competence, and patients reported high satisfaction, adherence, and well-being. Statistical analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between nurses’ communication competencies and healthcare outcomes. The study concludes that effective nurse-patient communication plays a vital role in enhancing quality care. Recommendations include strengthening communication-focused training programs and reinforcing patient-centered communication practices to further improve healthcare delivery.