Introduction

Given the importance which communication has in healthcare of quality, nurses have been concerned about the assessment of professional interactions with their patients.

Objective

To identify instruments measuring the nurse-patient interactions in order to assess the quality of attention provided within an interpersonal dimension.

Methodology

The related literature was reviewed by consulting the Scielo, Medline, Redalyc, BVS and CINHAL databases. 25 articles researching on the design, validation, application, and adaptation of instruments measuring nurse-patient communications in diverse services and levels of care were selected.

Results

Selected articles were classified into three groups: a) application and validation of instruments; b) adaptation and validation of instruments; c) design and validation of instruments. Nine articles make reference to the application and validation of instruments, 10 make it to adaptation and validation, and 6 make it to the design and validation.

Conclusions

Although diverse articles addressing the issue have been designed, validated, applied and adjusted, challenges in this research area still exist regarding new strategies which can diagnose and offer alternatives to improve the communication between the nurses and their patients in the daily nursing practice.