Improving Communications With Patients and Families in Geriatric Care. The How, When, and What.

There has been little published literature examining the unique communication challenges older adults pose for health care providers. Using an explanatory mixed-methods design, this study explored patients' and their family/caregivers' experiences communicating with health care providers on a Canadian tertiary care, inpatient Geriatric unit between March and September 2018. In part 1, the modified patient-health care provider communication scale was used and responses scored using a 5-point scale.