What purpose does nursing observation serve in nurse-patient communication
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Communication skills are a necessity when you need to speak to a wide variety of people. Learning how to improve communication skills will make you a better nurse by enabling you to better understand your patient’s needs. Communicating effectively with your patients will make accomplishing your daily nursing tasks much simpler by minimizing the barriers to mutual understanding. Show
Effective Patient and Family CommunicationConsidering your patient’s perspective is key to preventing encounters that resemble any kind of conflict, and sometimes the best way to achieve that is to, quite literally, get on their level. Not only does effective communication reassure patients and their families, but communication can have an impact on patient care and health and streamline processes in the day-to-day work of a nurse. It shows the humanistic side of the nurse (or any healthcare professional), building trust and happy healing. 1. Assess Your Body LanguageHave your body at the same level as the patient to prevent distraction and ensure that your sole focus is on them. If necessary, sit in a chair so that you can be face to face and making eye contact, versus leaning over or squating. And, always face the patient while speaking. 2. Make Your interactions Easier for ThemWhen communicating with a patient, keep your sentences and questions short, stay on one topic at a time, and explain difficult concepts in clear terms. Even though nurses are well-researched and knowledgeable, it’s important to speak in Layman’s Terms and simple concepts unless otherwise requested by the patient. 3. Show Them the Proper RespectAccommodate you patient’s requests as much as is safe and prudent. Rather than speaking in commands, offer them choices and if needed, provide redirection. Strive to help them maintain their dignity. This is especially important if you’re working in a skilled nursing facility. 4. Have PatienceDepending on your patient’s age, illness, or cognitive difficulties, they may move and speak more slowly than you do. Give them time to move at their own pace. Positive patient communications need not be rushed. It’s helpful to think about putting yourself in their shoes and imagine how you would want to be treated with respect and compassion. 5. Monitor Your MechanicsExpanding on the concept of making the interactions easier for the patients, it’s important to speak clearly and slowly, louder than you usually do, but without yelling. Enunciate complex words carefully and use simple language as much as possible. 6. Provide Simple Written instructions When NecessaryUse graphics where possible. Patients coming out of surgery or trauma are less likely to remember everything you’ve told them. In fact, it may be challenging for even a family member to remember the advisement you provide when emotions come into play. An easy-to-follow list of the basic concepts you’ve discussed will help to ensure compliance with their plan of care. Writing is a more permanent form of communication and may spark questions once the patient reads and digests the information. 7. Give Your Patients Ample Time to Respond or Ask QuestionsNot rushing through instructions or responses will help your patients feel like a valued partner in the management of their own health and make communicating effectively more likely. Asking questions builds rapport because the patient has the opportunity to provide information from their end or offer their own opinions. Communication Barriers in NursingA study featured in the Global Journal of Health Science shared that according to the patients in their study, the most dominant communication barriers were gender differences between nurse and patient, the nurse’s reluctance for communication, a hectic environment of the ward or facility, and the patient’s anxiety, pain, and physical discomfort. On the flipside, the most frequent communication barriers from the nurses’ viewpoint in this study were as follows: differences in colloquial languages of nurses and patients, nurses’ being overworked, family interference, and the presence of emergency patients in the ward. Importance of Patient and Family CommunicationBased on patient and nurse experience, the communication barrier could be conquered through compassion and patience. Distractions and emergencies never cease, and the workload never dwindles. It’s important for nurses to not only follow this list of communication tools, but to also avoid conveying their burdens or stress to their patients in order to achieve harmony. Are you ready to put your communication skills to good use? Browse our open job positions or talk to a recruiter today! clinical nurse or nurse leader, you need exceptional communication skills—and you need to be able to use them during high-stress situations.Why Is Communication Important in Nursing?Having good communication skills is essential to collaborating on teams with your fellow nurses and colleagues from other disciplines. It’s also important to patient-centered care. Nurses who take the time to listen and understand the concerns of each of their patients are better prepared to address issues as they arise, resulting in better patient outcomes. On the other hand, poor communication, or lack of communication in healthcare, can lead to patients misunderstanding directions and failing to follow treatment protocols. It can also lead to workflow breakdowns on the team, resulting in a medical error. A report by the Joint Commission found that poor communication in healthcare during patient transfers contributed to 80% of serious medical errors. Additionally, patients who have established an open and secure dialogue with a nurse or healthcare provider are more likely to disclose the true extent of their symptoms. According to the book , healthcare communication competency offers a primary means for establishing a trusting, collaborative relationship with patients and families. Interpersonal communication skills influence the quality of decisions made, as well as the level of patient motivation to follow treatment protocols and achieve desired clinical outcomes. Learn More About Our Nursing Programs 10 Effective Communication Skills for Nurses For nurses, good communication in healthcare means approaching every patient interaction with the intention to understand the patient’s concerns, experiences, and opinions. This includes using verbal and nonverbal communication skills, along with active listening and patient teach-back techniques. Below, we explore 10 communication skills that are important for nurses. 1. Verbal CommunicationExcellent verbal communication is key. Aim to always speak with clarity, accuracy, and honesty. It’s also important to know your audience and speak appropriately according to the person’s age, culture, and level of health literacy. If you are feeling stressed out or frustrated, be aware of your tone of voice and don’t let these emotions leak into your patient interaction. You can:
2. Nonverbal CommunicationUsing elements of nonverbal communication—such as facial expressions, eye contact, body language, gestures, posture, and tone of voice—is also essential in creating rapport. Simply smiling can go a long way. You can also:
3. Active Listening“Active listening” means listening in order to understand the other person’s experience. The highest and most effective form of listening requires complete attention and engagement. This skill is important not only for clinical nurses but also for nurse executives and other healthcare providers as a tool for building trust and commitment with their staff. Active listening includes both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. For example:
4. Written CommunicationWritten communication skills are also essential for effective nurse-to-nurse communication. As a nurse, you will be responsible for creating and updating the patient’s medical record. It is critical that the medical record is accurate and current so your patients can receive the best care possible. Also, remember to protect patient confidentiality. Some tips:
5. Presentation SkillsEffective presentation skills are most applicable during “handover”—when you are transferring patient care to another nurse or other healthcare providers. These skills will also help you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise clearly in a variety of workplace settings, such as presenting at conferences, participating in job interviews, giving case reports to physicians, and more. It’s a good idea to:
6. Patient Education (Patient Teach-Back)Nurses are in charge of most of the communication between the healthcare team and patients. This includes informing patients and family members of health conditions, diagnoses, treatment plans, and medication protocols. This skill is especially important for family nurse practitioners who work with patients and families to provide health and education counseling. Patient teach-back is an effective communication strategy where providers ask patients to repeat the information back to them. This method improves patient understanding and encourages adherence to care instructions. Poor understanding of information can cause patients and their family members to feel anxious or become defensive. For example, you can say:
7. Making Personal ConnectionsIt’s important to get to know the person behind the patient. Patient-centered relationships are critical in helping patients feel safe and comfortable. Creating meaningful connections with patients can improve outcomes and trust. Some ideas:
8. TrustIt’s important for healthcare professionals to inspire trust in patients by listening actively and taking every complaint and concern seriously. Building trust takes time. Healthcare settings are scary for some patients. It’s important to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Trust is something that nurse educators and leaders should also cultivate as they work to develop the next generation of nurses. To inspire trust, nurse leaders and educators should:
9. Cultural AwarenessYou will likely work with people every day who come from a wide range of social, cultural, and educational backgrounds. Every patient and coworker is unique, and it’s important to be aware and sensitive. For example, gauge the patient’s fluency with English and grade your vocabulary accordingly or bring in a translator if necessary and possible. With trans and gender nonbinary patients, be sure to use their preferred name and pronoun. 10. CompassionConveying compassion is an essential communication skill in healthcare. According to the Journal of Compassionate Healthcare, “studies show that compassion can assist in prompting fast recovery from acute illness, enhancing the management of chronic illness, and relieving anxiety.” You can deliver compassionate nursing care by putting yourself in the patient’s shoes and understanding their needs and expectations. How to Overcome Communication Barriers in NursingSometimes the message sent is not always received the way it was desired. Communication barriers in nursing result in weak patient-nurse interactions and relationships. To overcome these, we must first understand the types of communication barriers that nurses face. In the article “Communication and Language Needs,” Dawn Weaver identifies three common communication barriers in nursing: physical, social, and psychological. Physical BarriersThe environment in which you communicate with a patient can make a huge difference in effective communication. Busy, loud, and distracting settings can increase patient stress. To create a safe and comfortable environment, try closing doors, opening blinds, and mitigating outside noises whenever you can. Social BarriersSocial barriers include differences in language, religion, culture, age, and customs. Understanding each patient’s cultural background can help nurses avoid prejudice and communicate clearly. It’s a good idea to tailor your communication strategies depending on the patient’s age, as well: Psychological BarriersFor many patients, a trip to the doctor is anxiety-inducing. Anxiety and stress are psychological barriers, as are dementia and other cognitive conditions. To help reduce their influence, it helps to take extra time to listen, empathize, and be supportive. Such psychosocial care has been proven to improve patient health outcomes and quality of life. Nurses may also need to overcome their own psychological barriers. Speaking to patients and family members about death, disease, and other sensitive topics can be distressing. A study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing explored the fact that many nurses experience feelings of anxiety when discussing patient medical needs and conditions. Get Started Developing Crucial Communication Skills TodayLearning these and other communication skills should be part of your education, whether you’re enrolled in undergraduate nursing school or a graduate nursing program. They are also easy to practice on the job, as you will get plenty of opportunities for communicating with patients and your colleagues. Put your favorite idea into practice today! The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates designed for working nurses. Our degrees are offered online, with optional on-campus immersions* and an annual interprofessional trip abroad. Role specialties include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Educator (MSN only), and Nurse Executive. The MSN has several options to accelerate your time to degree completion. Complete coursework when and where you want—and earn your advanced nursing degree while keeping your work and life in balance. *The FNP track includes two required hands-on clinical intensives as part of the curriculum. Sources The Joint Commission. “Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare Releases Targeted Solutions Tool for Hand-Off Communications.” Joint Commission Perspectives 32, no. 8 (August 2012): 1, 3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22928243/. Accessed: January 26, 2022 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. “Use the Teach-Back Method: Tool #5.” Last reviewed September 2020. https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/quality-resources/tools/literacy-toolkit/healthlittoolkit2-tool5.html. Accessed: January 26, 2022 Chen, Cassandra Siyun, Sally Wai-Chi Chan, Moon Fai Chan, Suk Foon Yap, Wenru Wang, and Yanika Kowitlawakul. “Nurses’ Perceptions of Psychosocial Care and Barriers to Its Provision: A Qualitative Study.” The Journal of Nursing Research 25, no. 6 (2017): 411–418. doi:10.1097/JNR.0000000000000185. Why is patient communication important in nursing?Communication assists in the performance of accurate, consistent and easy nursing work, ensuring both the satisfaction of the patient and the protection of the health professional.
What is effective nurse patient communication?For nurses, good communication in healthcare means approaching every patient interaction with the intention to understand the patient's concerns, experiences, and opinions. This includes using verbal and nonverbal communication skills, along with active listening and patient teach-back techniques.
What is the most important part of communication in nursing?As frontline workers in healthcare, nurses rely on communication for all aspects of their jobs. Strong verbal and written communication skills are central to improving health outcomes, fostering relationships with co-workers, patients and families, and navigating complex situations.
What is the purpose of communicating with patients?Good communication can make all the difference when it comes to your patients feeling supported, trusting your judgment and engaging with your advice. It can even help to improve health indicators such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
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