Question

In this assignment, you will discuss concepts related to the importance of communication and related concepts in the profession of nursing. Follow the instructions below to complete your assignment: • Introduce of the concept of communication with a purpose statement • Identify and describe the phases of the nurse patient relationship • Evaluate effective and ineffective communication techniques • Identify a strategy or strategies to becoming a successful communicator in nursing.

Answer 1

Communication is described as transfer of any data, idea, thoughts or expression by a sender(encoder) to the receiver(decoder) through a channel and continuously being verified with a feedback mechanism.

Purpose of communication is to communicate or transfer or transmit data from an individual to self, other individual or a group of individuals.

Nurse patient relationship- this relationship is of therapeutic importance for a patient when a nurse connects, interacts and identifies the problems and needs of patients, performs appropriate actions to solve the problem and provide therapeutic environment of patient for his recovery or optimal health.

Phases of Nurse patient relationship

1. Orientation

2. Identification

3. Exploitation

4. Resolution

5. Termination

These stages are interconnected, dynamic, ongoing, progressive and may overlap simultaneously with each other.

1. Orientation phase- in this phase, the nurse and the patient get oriented to each other. The nurse identifies the patient correctly, introduces herself as the nurse assigned and collects basic information about the patient. This phase is of importance as patient should develop a trust on the nurse and be comfortable to vent his/her needs.

2. Identification - in this phase, the nurse and patient identify their goals and set up an objective for the patient betterment. All the problems of the patient are listed as per priority of needs and achievable objectives are set with mutual discussion with the Patient.

3. Exploitation- in this phase-, the actual care which is planned for the identified problems are carried out and continuously evaluated to see the progress of patients for the health problem. In this phase, informed consent, continuously updating about the recovery, quality Nursing care is of great importance. Many problems may be identified newly which has to be solved .

4. Resolution - in this phase, all health goals and expected outcomes are evaluated if they have been resolved or no. More emphasis in this stage has to be given to rehabilitation, home care and confirmed if the patient will be able to continue the care at home.

5. Termination- in this phase, the contract between the patient and the nurse ends. The nurse declares to the patient about the termination of their therapeutic relations and his/her discharge from the hospital.

Factors affecting effectiveness of communication are as follows

1. Age- communication with an elderly person differs from a child. According to age of the patient, they have to be communicated to be accepted and according to their level of understanding

2. Gender- communication topics related to certain issues of importance have to be appropriately addressed with respect to gender. Or the patient may feel threatened or insured.

3. Physical environment- communication should be done in appropriate environment eg, disclosure of a cancer diagnosis should be done personally in a closed setup .

4. Emotional status- communication should be done appropriately as per the patient emotional status. Any important or detailed information should not be given in an emotionally unstable condition which might render futile.

5. Privacy- privacy is of importance with respect to asking patient for the time to communicate, permission before starting a communication, maintaining a distance with the Patient which is non threatening, using a enclosed room for communication etc.

6. Non verbal communication- gestures, postures, facial expressions and actions convey more communication rathers than verbal content. Efforts should be taken in learning the expected non verbal cues which might interfere during communication process.

7. Respect- respecting the patient as a person will be of great value to the patient and prove important during communication process. All efforts should be taken to respect a patient.

8. Listening- as a Patient, he/she may have many quiries and worries to be discussed about. A nurse has to be a good listener so as to meet every needs of the patient.

9. Clarity, concise and appropriate- the content to be communicated should be clear, with appropriate terms, single idea in one statement, short and appropriately stated for easy understanding.

10. Feedback- patient should be asked for continuous feedback so as to understand the effectiveness of communication.

Strategies for effective communication

1. Address the Patient appropriately with their name and introduce yourself to the patient.

2. Ask patient's permission and time appropriate to have a quality communication

3. Use an appropriate physical setup for communication with patient.

4. Show empathy instead of sympathy which is appreciated by the patient

5. Be aware of nurses own conflict of ideas and beliefs with the Patient and try not let that interfere during communication process

6. Ask open ended questions. Close ended questions gives an impression of not being heard completely.

7. Clarify medical terminology in simple language for ease of understanding. Give adequate time for patient to respond.

8. Use appropriate gestures and posture as per situation or circumstances

9. Verify if the patient has understood the content by recalling or feedback.

10. Give due respect and privacy to the patient as needed.

11. Don't give false information or false hope. Convey to the patient the real picture.

12. Cultural awareness of the Patient always has to considered during communication process.