TITLE:
Development of a Therapeutic Communication Method Using the Delphi Technique
AUTHORS:
Naohiro Hohashi, Taketo Watsuji
KEYWORDS:
Family Nursing, Therapeutic Communication, Verbal Communication, Non-Verbal Communication, Delphi Technique
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.15 No.12,
December
8,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background and Purpose: In family nursing, therapeutic communication is a method of family assessment/intervention. This study aimed to clarify specific methods for therapeutic communication. Methods: A questionnaire was created based on 23 therapeutic communication items identified in a previous study based on a literature review, and opinions were collected through a self-administered questionnaire survey using the Delphi technique. The Delphi technique consisted of two rounds, and the subjects were 112 expert visiting nurses. Results: In the first round, 35 participants responded, with a moderate agreement rate (greater than 70%) for 21 items. Based on free comments, items were modified and added at an expert meeting, raising the number of items to 26. In the second round, 32 participants responded, with a moderate agreement rate for 25 items. These 25 consisted of 11 verbal communication items, such as “Provide easy-to-understand explanations to the family”; five non-verbal communication items, such as “Be present with the family holistically”; and nine verbal and non-verbal communication items such as “Listen actively to the family”. Conclusions: The results of the study revealed that the 25 items are specific therapeutic communication methods that can be used in clinical settings. These results suggest that therapeutic communication is superior to therapeutic conversation, in that it includes not only verbal but also non-verbal interactions.