Nurse Doctor Relationship in Rwanda: A Questionnaire Survey
Background: As it is evident in literature review, the working relationship between nurses and doctors was dominant subservient relationship in the ancient days and the studies show that this working relationship is still influenced by this template. However, even if this patriarchal relationship still exists, many nurses in these days do not want to continue the same game, they want to be independent in their profession. This change is not accepted by doctors who want to continue their dominant role; they are complaining that nurses are no longer obedient. This becomes the origin of doctor nurse disagreements in their interaction in many hospitals and this influence the health care of patients. The study had three objectives: to identify the factors that can affect the nurse doctor working relationships in a selected Hospital in Rwanda, to determine the causes of disputes and to find out the power relations between nurses and doctors within the Hospital management structures. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted. The target population comprised 80 people working at the selected hospital. The non probability convenience sampling was used to choose the sample size of 60 participants. Aself report questionnaire was used for data collection and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and were presented in tables and graphs. Results: The majority of respondents have agreed that there are a number of factors contributing to misunderstandings and conflicts between nurses and doctors at the area of study. The existence of disputes is mostly caused by the behaviour of doctors who consider themselves as superiors. The results have revealed also that the hospital management do not treat with the same respect the doctors and nurses. Conclusion: The findings revealed that lack of respect and consideration to others bring the conflicts, disputes and misunderstandings between doctors and nurses. Nurses who participated in the study advised that doctors should recognize nurses and respect them as independent professionals.