Proxemic communication between nursing staff and interned newborn in the neonatal intensive therapy unit

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the proxemic communication between nursing team and the newborn hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It is a descriptive, exploratory study carried out in a Public Hospital in July 2009, in Fortaleza- Ceará. The sample consisted of 44 interactions involving newborns and nursing workers. For data analysis, it was used the proxemic theory, which deals with the spatial behavior of man in the communication process. It was observed in the interactions that the warmth and caring touch were the most frequent contact behaviors, and appropriate eye contact and tone of voice were predominant. It was concluded that the nursing team should be aware of the importance and influence of non-verbal signs on the communication during nursing care with newborns.