Nursing students’ lived experiences with using AIDET in patient communication: A qualitative study in the Philippines

Background: Effective communication is vital in nursing, influencing patient safety,
satisfaction, and care quality. The AIDET framework is a proven tool for reducing patient
anxiety and enhancing their experience. However, perceptions and experiences of Filipino
nursing students with AIDET remain unexplored.
Objective: This study explored Filipino nursing students’ use of AIDET, focusing on benefits,
challenges, and improvements.
Methods: A qualitative, interpretive phenomenological approach informed by the philosophy
of Martin Heidegger was employed. This 2023 study, conducted at a university in Angeles City,
Philippines, explored Filipino nursing students’ experiences with the AIDET communication
framework. Thirty participants were purposefully selected to participate in facilitated
discussions following a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic content analysis of the
transcribed audio recording identified recurring themes in their narratives, focusing on the
meanings they ascribed to their experiences using AIDET.
Results: Four themes emerged: (a) Streamlined nurse-patient interaction (organizes
communication, rapport building, alleviate anxiety, acknowledgment, and empowerment as
sub-themes), (b) Enhances patient-centered care (empathy and compassion, improved
patient experience as sub-topics), (c) Challenges with specific patient populations (patient
preferences, language barrier, patient condition, acknowledgment of cultural differences as
sub-themes), and (d) AIDET in nursing education strengthening application through practice,
optimizing frequency and timing, promoting deeper understanding, enhancing feedback
mechanism) as student nurses’ recommendations.
Conclusion: Early integration of AIDET in nursing education is essential for student nurses to
enhance communication, improve patient satisfaction, and deliver patient-centered care,
equipping them with valuable communication skills.