Communication at work: A survey to explore the relationships between healthcare providers' communication competence and professional quality of life in neonatal care

Objective: Providing medical care to preterm infants can be rewarding yet also stressful for healthcare providers in the neonatal care unit (NICU). While the impact of provider-parent communication on parent-related stress and satisfaction is widely accepted, little is known about the provider perspective. Therefore, this study explores the relationships between neonatal care providers' communicative competence and their professional quality of life and job satisfaction. Methods: Using the NICU Communication Framework, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among N = 300 Dutch pediatricians‑neonatologists, nurses, and ancillary staff. Results: Communication performance and providers' job satisfaction were correlated, particularly in terms of perceived quality of care, professional relationships, and personal rewards. When providers deemed communication important and perceived themselves as skilled communicators, job satisfaction increased. Experiencing sufficient time for conversations with parents was inversely correlated with provider fatigue and burn-out. Yet, providers reported insufficient opportunity for communication. Conclusion: These results warrant reflection on the importance of communication in neonatal care, for the wellbeing of parents and providers alike. Innovation: Focusing on the provider perspective, this study provides novel insights into the relationships between communication and outcomes of care. Our findings uniquely emphasize the power of communication to foster staff satisfaction and reduce burn-out in the NICU.