Effective patient communication

Good patient communication is critical

Good patient communication is critical to the expansion of any health care system. Nurses receive both quantity and quality training to improve and encourage successful nurse-patient communication. According to research, no matter how knowledgeable a nurse is, if he or she cannot establish open contact with a patient, he or she is useless. Nurses and patients employ a variety of communication methods. Physicians, according to research, use two forms of communication: provider-centered communication and patient-centered communication (Manias, 2010).

The provider-centered method focuses on accomplishing the facility’s objectives

The provider-centered method focuses on accomplishing the facility’s objectives. The nurses here utilize closed-ended queries, restricting patient encounter. They spend a lot of time doing their job other than interacting with the patients. In most cases, the nurse walks to the patient’s bed with the file and examines those filling details in the files. In most cases, the verbal communications with these patients are very brief, and the will only sit on the patient’s bed when checking blood pressure for just a few minutes and they leave. Most patients end up with themselves since the nurse is busy and at times they cannot ask questions or make observations to the limited time they get from the nurse (Manias, 2010).

Patient centered communication, on the other hand, involves more open ended questions

Patient centered communication, on the other hand, involves more open ended questions. The nurse uses statements of approval, concern, and agreement with the patients. This kind of approach helps to develop a positive patient nurse relationship and delivery of professional nursing care. The nurse interacts more with the patients not only during their administration duties but also as friends. They look into their physical health issues as well as their emotional and psychological welfare. This kind of communication improves, promotes ad brings positive impact in the health sector and is desired by most patients.

Various factors influence positive and negative experiences during the communication process

Various factors influence positive and negative experiences during the communication process. Such factors include attitudes, language barrier, age, and dignity. Personal attitudes influence communication in such a way that some patients may not be confident enough to talk about issues and how they feel. For those who are confident enough to speak to the nurses, positive change is achieved as they speak up and relieve themselves emotionally. A language barrier is another factor that can ruin the communication process. Consider the elderly patients who go to a health facility for treatment far from his home. If the language he/she is conversant with is different from the common language used by most of the staff members of the health facility, it becomes difficult for communication to take place between the patient and the nurses. Age is also another factor. Older patients may view young nurses as inexperienced and less able to deal with. As a result, they may not fully engage with the nurse as required and therefore limit communication. Friendly and humorous nurses attract the interests and attention of patients. Such character encourages patients to participate in a conversation and results in a positive change. Dignity is another factor that attracts communication. When a patient is treated with respect and care, they open up. This brings about a positive change (Warnock, 2014).

Patient experience can impact the healthcare outcomes in many ways

Patient experience can impact the healthcare outcomes in many ways. Patient satisfaction is an essential aspect in this case to achieve positive results of the healthcare. Patient satisfaction narrows down to treating the patient as an individual during his/her stay in the healthcare. A happy patient will talk positively about the health care and recommend the healthcare to his family and friends, and he/she will always come back for the services, unlike a dissatisfied patient who may end up bad mouthing or even decide to sue the healthcare for unprofessional and poor quality services. With such complaints, the name of the healthcare is affected and goes low in ranking, therefore, attracting fewer clients (Bartlett, Blais, Tamblyn, Clermont, & MacGibbon, 2008).

To improve communication between patients and nurses, some strategies can be put in place

To improve communication between patients and nurses, some strategies can be put in place. Having more time with the patients is one of the strategies. A nurse can create one extra minute to bond with the patient in a conversation bringing them closer and making them feel important. Assurance is also another strategy that can be used to improve communication. A nurse needs to give assurance to the patient that everything will be fine. By doing so, the client will open up more and feel cared for. Compassionate and connected care is another strategy all these give the patient a sense of relaxation and assurance (Street, 2013).

These strategies consider all patient demographics

These strategies consider all patient demographics. They meet the physical and psychological needs of the patients both the young and old, male and female. With the open, free and direct communication with the nurse, each patient will directly interact with the nurse and ask questions where they need answers, direct their complaints when they are not satisfied and with all this, bring positive results both to the healthcare and to the patient/client.

References

Bartlett, G., Blais, R., Tamblyn, R., Clermont, R. J., & MacGibbon, B. (2008). Impact of patient communication problems on the risk of preventable adverse events in acute care settings. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 178(12), 1555-1562.

Manias, E. (2010). Medication communication: A concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(4), 933–943.

Street, R. L. (2013). How clinician–patient communication contributes to health improvement: modeling pathways from talk to outcome. Patient education and counseling, 92(3), 286-291.

Warnock, C. (2014). Breaking bad news: Issues relating to nursing practice. Nursing Standard, 28(45), 51–58.