Professional Relationships Between Nurses and Doctors at Vlora Regional Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

The success of the nursing profession, as a key indicator of high-quality healthcare institutions, depends on efficient patient care and effective collaboration among nurses and with medical staff [1, 2]”. This study aimed to identify the professional relationships of nurses and the factors influencing them. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Vlora Regional Hospital between June 9 and September 1, 2025, involving 116 nurses and 44 doctors randomly selected from multiple departments. Two questionnaires were used: a questionnaire for doctors and a questionnaire for nurses through linguistic validation in Albanian of the questionnaires Nurse-Doctor Relationship in Rwanda: A Questionnaire Survey IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS). Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 19 package. Nurse-nurse relationships were rated at a moderate level, with a mean score of 6.53 (SD = 1.88). Most nurses (61.21%) reported that these relationships need improvement, reflecting moderate levels of professional behavior and ethics.

Keywords: professional relationships, nurses, doctors, communication, ethics, collaboration, hierarchy, performance, healthcare teamwork.

Background

The success of the nursing profession and the quality of healthcare institutions depend heavily on effective collaboration between nurses and medical staff. Functional professional relationships are critical determinants of patient safety, healthcare efficiency, and the reduction of clinical errors and mortality rates. Conversely, factors such as hierarchical structures, occupational stress, and lack of professional support can negatively impact these interactions. This study was conducted at Vlora Regional Hospital in Albania to identify the current state of professional relationships among healthcare staff and to determine the specific factors (such as communication and ethics) that influence these collaborative efforts.

Methods

This study utilized a cross-sectional design and was conducted at Vlora Regional Hospital between June 9 and September 1, 2025. The study population consisted of 116 nurses and 44 doctors randomly selected from various hospital departments. Data was collected using two specific questionnaires (one for doctors and one for nurses), which were adapted from the "Nurse-Doctor Relationship in Rwanda" survey and linguistically validated in Albanian. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 19 software package to evaluate relationship ratings on a 1-10 scale and identify sources of professional difficulty.

Results

The study found that professional relationships at the hospital are generally at a "moderate" level. Nurse-nurse relationships received a mean score of 6.53, with 61.21% of nurses stating they need improvement. Nurse-doctor relationships were also rated as moderate by 70.69% of participants. Key barriers identified include:

1. Major Obstacles: Hierarchy (43.1%), communication problems (37.1%), and insufficient adherence to ethical standards (21.6%).
2. The Most Difficult Interactions: 57.52% of staff identified the combined nurse-nurse and nurse-doctor relationship as the most challenging.
3. Doctor Feedback: 75% of doctors believe nurse communication with staff needs improvement.
4. Workplace Climate: 38.46% of nurses reported feeling harassed at work, though 61.54% felt their environment was safe.

Conclusions

The authors conclude that professional relationships at Vlora Regional Hospital remain at an average level and require significant intervention. The primary drivers of collaboration difficulty are systemic hierarchy and deficiencies in communication and mutual respect. To improve healthcare delivery, the study recommends strengthening professional performance through continuous training in standardized medical terminology and promoting strict adherence to ethical codes. Additionally, reducing hierarchical barriers and encouraging team-based patient care models are essential for fostering a cohesive and effective medical team.