Therapeutic Communication

According to Julia Wood (2004), “communication is a systemic process in which individuals interact with and through symbols to create and interpret meanings. However, Sheppard (1993) suggests that, in the nurse–patient relationship, communication involves more than the transmission of information; it also involves transmitting feelings, recognizing these feelings and letting the patient know that their feelings have been recognized (M, 1993)”. It is a two way process. The patient conveys their fears and concerns to their nurse and helps them make a correct nursing diagnosis. An excellent communication skill between nurses and patients is essential for the successful outcome of individualized nursing care of each patient. The ability to communicate

Being in the medical field, you have to collaborate with various people from doctors, EMTs, to nurses. It’s important to communicate with everyone on the team to ensure everyone’s on the same page. Therapeutic communication is used to make sure all the needs of the patients are met. Non-verbal skills are to ensure our patients feel relaxed and respected. Those non-verbal skills are what’s crucial for indicating the overall experience.

The Joint Commission in 2011 also described a clear and safe communication as timely, accurate, and usable (Arnold, et al., p.23). This positive quality of communication is evident in the interaction of Shona and the nurse, as the nurse asked Shona “Can you explain that further?” in regards to the situation that Shona is feeling — from this, the nurse is trying to understand Shona’s condition as she assesses the situation. In a nursing process, communication standards and skills are an integral component of knowledge (Arnold, et al., p.29) that allows nurses to understand a patient’s condition, thus, provide compassion and respect for their patients. This is evident in the nurse’s intervention to Shona’s struggles as she encouraged Shona to not to think about her conflicts and focus on happy things like her children— which shows empathy and

We must not make any assumptions about the patients, we overestimate people’s reading levels because we are not in their position and we do not think about how something so “easy” to us can be such a challenge for others. Nurses should expertise in communication to understand their patients better and help them avoid humiliation and anxiousness. We believe in holistic care, which means caring for the whole body. Therefore, their feelings and emotions matter just as much as their health, rather they can read or

The key to establishing a trusting relationship is the integration, usage, and mastery of therapeutic communication skills (Belcher & Jones, 2009).Due to the high importance of effective communication in mental health nursing, it is essential in therapeutic interventions. (Peplau, 1952) states that effective interpersonal skills are central to a mental health nurse’s ability to form a sound therapeutic alliance and to the role of mental health nurses. Excellent interpersonal aptitudes are what every mental health nurse needs to communicate effectively with clients. Active listening is more than just hearing what the client has to say, nurse must be actively engaging with the client, physically, emotionally and mentally. Effective listening is therefore a cognitive, behavioural and an affective process (Arnold and Underman Boggs,

This meant that a change needed to be implemented within the facility, so that the nurses can do their job as caretakers. The study reported that the nurses had occupied themselves with the work of others, such as housekeeping and paper work. The patients who sought nurse-patient relationships argued that they did not have the time to sit and talk with them but they were too busy doing other hospital work. The findings also indicate that nurse need to be made aware of the patients expectations so they may deliver exceptional care. This can be achieved by interacting with the patients more and taking the time to understand them.

An event that was significant to me throughout clinical placement was when I forgot to introduce myself to a visually impaired client.

My supplemental psychology education fortified my acuteness awareness of verbal and nonverbal communication which enables me to assess patients holistically. For example, during a shift at Seattle Children’s, I became aware of a patient’s family member interacting with hospital staff in an agitated manner. Respectfully, I intervened and asked if I might be of assistance. I listened attentively to the family’s concerns and was able to defuse the situation. When I suggested to my preceptor nurse how the patient’s family dynamics might impact the patient’s recovery, the preceptor stated, “I don’t normally see that level of perceptiveness and compassion until nurses have been working several

Within my work setting I am required to communicate with a range of groups and individuals. This includes service users, their families and friends, internal staff such as care staff, senior care staff, nurses and managerial staff. Sometimes, it is also necessary to liaise with external staff and agencies. For example, health professionals such as GP 's and district nurses, advocates, social workers and the Care Quality Commission. At present, the level of communication required between myself and external practitioners and agencies is of a limited nature. However, this will not be as limited as I begin to progress within my career and take on further responsibilities.

Listening is also an essential part in communication. It is a responsible nursing practice which requires a lot of attention and utilization of all the senses for the insight of verbal and non-verbal messages produced by each patient. By listening, nurses assess the state and the needs of the patient. Good communication skills are described as the ability of the nurse to ask questions with kindness and simplicity and also provide information in a way that demonstrates interest, creates feelings of acceptance, trust and a harmonious

Thus, the quality of nursing provided is also weighed by the level of interest nurses have towards their patients’ health, as well as their welfare. In addition, nurses ensure that patients are well-informed by discussing with them the care they need. Thus, the effort of nurses discussing care with each patient helps them to provide customized care in terms of understanding the health status of the patient and collaborating with the patient to manage his/her

Peplau (1988, cited by Betts, 2002, in Kenworthy et al, 2002) argues nursing as an interpersonal process. Betts (2002) argues that effective communication is intricate and obscure. Both the nurse and the patient are distinctive individuals, and they both bring with them their perceptions, values, interpretations and experiences to the interpersonal process. To achieve trust, the nurse must use openness, honesty and effective communication

Describe the interview (including impressions, general reactions, and feelings about your first visit.) The interview went well, my first impression of her was she is very sweet and kind. She did seem to have a little trouble understanding some questions that were asked. Therefore, I had to switch my way of communicating those questions for her.

Supporting the client It is important for the patient to receive as much support as possible from the health specialist. Sometimes, patients can be deranged and have irrational thoughts and therefore cannot make decisions or find proper solutions. When the patient is discouraged or even feels isolated he or she needs extra support. They also need to realize that there is someone who cares for them and who is willing to listen to what they have to say. In many health systems, such as some mental wards or even hospitals, patients receive enough support from specialists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, and other health professionals.

The counsellor creates a therapeutic environment with the client whereby the client will feel that they are able to trust the counsellor. The counsellor achieves this by being congruent, empathetic and providing positive regard to the client. The skills required in this stage includes the attending which is being attentive to the client to show that the counsellor is genuinely interested in the client. The counsellor must also be varied of non-verbal messages that