ObjectiveTo explore the effect of doctor-nurse-patient communication area established in the ward. MethodsBefore (July to September 2013) and three months after (October to December 2013) the establishment of doctor-nurse-patient communication area, 30 doctors, 30 nurses and 216 patients or their family members were respectively investigated by questionnaires and interviews, and the data were collected and compared by t test. ResultsThirty questionnaires for doctors, 30 for nurses and 216 for patients or their family members were issued before and after the establishment of doctor-nurse-patient communication area. The response rate for the questionnaires was 100%. After the implementation of doctor-nurse-patient communication area, the satisfaction of patients' family members, nurses' awareness of the patients' condition and implementation of health education were significantly higher than those before the implementation (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe doctor-nurse-patient communication area established in the surgical ward can promote the trust between the patients and medical staff, create a good atmosphere to understand the needs of patients, meet patients' demand as far as possible and improve communication ability of medical staff, which makes doctors, nurses and patients more satisfied.