To sit or not to sit? A Danish mixed-methods study of a bedside sitting-intervention among cardiological patients.

Background: Effective nurse-patient communication is a cornerstone of patient-centred care. Research indicates that when nurses sit during interactions, patients perceive communication as more attentive and respectful. However, the effect of a structured sitting intervention within cardiology settings remains underexplored. Objective: This study evaluated whether the presence of bedside stools influenced cardiology patients' perception of nurse presence, communication quality, and time spent in conversation. Methods: A mixed-methods quasi-experimental study was conducted in a Danish cardiology department. Two inpatient wards were assigned as experimental (n = 19) and control (n = 20) groups. Stools were placed in patient rooms in the experimental ward to facilitate seated communication, while the control ward followed usual care. Data was collected through patient interviews and a group interview with nurses. Quantitative data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test, and qualitative responses were thematically analysed. Results: Patients in the experimental ward perceived nurses as sitting more (mean = 1.5 vs. 0.2 times, p < 0.001) and spending longer time in conversation (mean = 9.32 vs. 5.15 minutes, p = 0.003). They also rated nurses as having more time to talk (mean = 3.42 vs. 2.25, p = 0.005). Although the intervention did not significantly affect satisfaction with communication (p = 0.771), qualitative findings revealed enhanced perceptions of presence, attentiveness, and calmness. Conclusion: The bedside sitting intervention improved patients' perception of time, presence, and nurse availability. The initiative was cost-effective, sustainable, and well received by staff, suggesting that seated communication may foster more meaningful and caring patient encounters.