The dynamics of rumours in the clinical setting

Davidhizar, Ruth RN, DNS, CS, FAAN
Dowd, Steven EdD, RT

Date of acceptance: September 19 1996.
Ruth Davidhizar RN, DNS, CS, FAAN, is Dean of Nursing, Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana; Steven Dowd EdD, RT, is Associate Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
This article has been subject to double-blind review.

Nursing Standard 11(13-15):p 40-43, December 18, 1996.

In this article the social and psychological aspects of rumours are considered.The authors place rumours in a wider social context using definitions of different types of rumour before focusing on the nature of rumours in the healthcare environment. Some of the positive and negative consequences of rumours are examined and strategies which can help to minimise the spread of the misinformation characteristically contained in hospital rumours are highlighted