A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure

Arzu Kalkan; Nihat Doğa Pamuk; Esra Sarıtaş; Serkan Demir; Hacer Demirdelen; Ömer Faruk Turan; Lukasz Szarpak

doi:10.18521/ktd.1938077

A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure

Abstract

Aim: Emergency departments impose substantial psychological burdens on healthcare professionals due to patient overcrowding, time pressure, and clinical uncertainty. This study aimed to examine the relationship between stress levels and communication processes among emergency department staff, focusing on communication barriers, crisis management, and emotional resilience.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 287 healthcare professionals (42.9% physicians and 57.1% nurses) working in the emergency department of Ankara Etlik City Hospital. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed in accordance with the study objectives. Associations were examined using Spearman’s correlation, and independent predictors of stress were assessed through multiple linear regression.

Results: The median stress score was 23 (interquartile range: 20–26). Communication barriers showed a moderate positive correlation with stress (r = 0.568; p < 0.001) and emerged as the strongest independent predictor (β = 0.494; p < 0.001). Crisis management (β = 0.152; p = 0.003) and professional role (p = 0.006) were also significantly associated with stress. The model explained 52.7% of the variance in stress levels (R² = 0.527). Age, years of professional experience, and weekly shift frequency made no independent contribution. Stress levels and communication barriers peaked among professionals with 1–4 years of experience (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Stress among emergency department personnel is more strongly associated with communication barriers, crisis management, and professional role than with age, experience, or workload-related indicators alone. Institutional strategies to improve communication and structured support programs for early-career professionals, particularly during the transition shock period, may strengthen stress management and patient safety.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Arzu Kalkan ^*
0009-0000-7642-4991
Türkiye

Nihat Doğa Pamuk This is me
0009-0006-5405-1569
Türkiye

Esra Sarıtaş This is me
0009-0001-2195-7632
Türkiye

Serkan Demir
0009-0008-1187-7883
Türkiye

Hacer Demirdelen
0009-0006-9233-6952
Türkiye

Ömer Faruk Turan
0000-0001-8456-8020
Türkiye

Lukasz Szarpak
0000-0002-0973-5455
Poland

Publication Date

October 27, 2026

Submission Date

April 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 18 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1938077

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA79UD78FL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kalkan, A., Pamuk, N. D., Sarıtaş, E., Demir, S., Demirdelen, H., Turan, Ö. F., & Szarpak, L. (2026). A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure. Konuralp Medical Journal, 18(3), 289-295. https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1938077

AMA

1.Kalkan A, Pamuk ND, Sarıtaş E, et al. A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2026;18(3):289-295. doi:10.18521/ktd.1938077

Chicago

Kalkan, Arzu, Nihat Doğa Pamuk, Esra Sarıtaş, et al. 2026. “A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure”. Konuralp Medical Journal 18 (3): 289-95. https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1938077.

EndNote

Kalkan A, Pamuk ND, Sarıtaş E, Demir S, Demirdelen H, Turan ÖF, Szarpak L (October 1, 2026) A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure. Konuralp Medical Journal 18 3 289–295.

IEEE

[1]A. Kalkan et al., “A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure”, Konuralp Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 289–295, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.18521/ktd.1938077.

ISNAD

Kalkan, Arzu - Pamuk, Nihat Doğa - Sarıtaş, Esra - Demir, Serkan - Demirdelen, Hacer - Turan, Ömer Faruk - Szarpak, Lukasz. “A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure”. Konuralp Medical Journal 18/3 (October 1, 2026): 289-295. https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1938077.

JAMA

1.Kalkan A, Pamuk ND, Sarıtaş E, Demir S, Demirdelen H, Turan ÖF, Szarpak L. A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2026;18:289–295.

MLA

Kalkan, Arzu, et al. “A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure”. Konuralp Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 289-95, doi:10.18521/ktd.1938077.

Vancouver

1.Arzu Kalkan, Nihat Doğa Pamuk, Esra Sarıtaş, Serkan Demir, Hacer Demirdelen, Ömer Faruk Turan, Lukasz Szarpak. A Multidimensional Analysis of Stress and Communication Processes in the Emergency Department: The Role of Communication Barriers and Crisis Exposure. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2026 Oct. 1;18(3):289-95. doi:10.18521/ktd.1938077