What Is The Importance Of Communication In Nursing

Establishing effective communication with the patient is a critical factor in promoting patient quality care. Good communication is fundamental when providing safe and effective care at the beside in order to increase the quality of patient care. One of the many communicative barriers that exists between patients and the healthcare team are language barriers. Language barriers are considered an initial problem of translation or code-switching. Individuals who speak different languages require a certain code breaker in order to facilitate effective communication (Gregg & Saha, 2007). Furthermore, language barriers may hinder the quality of patient care and interfere with optimal clinical outcomes. According to Happ et al., 2011, nurses have the unique responsibility to engage in communication with patients and have control over the timing and method of communication. Evidenced based interventions such as communication boards are needed to improve nurses’ communication skills in order to achieve effective communication.

Language is one social and cultural barriers that may have made it difficult for the doctors to communicate with Jessica’s family. It creates the trust that exists between a patient and a doctor and their guardians. When using a translator, meanings may change and the desired communication result may not be achieved. The trust that should exist between the doctor and the patient and the guardians

Some practical obstacles that hinder the delivery of proficient and economical services include differences in language, cultural and knowledge of health issues. However, the prudent advanced practice nurse (APN) considers these obstacles to communication when providing patient-centered care. Nevertheless, when language barriers are not addressed, the provision of quality care to patient and families are undermined, which then transcends to both economic and ethical dilemmas. According to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC, 2016), the gateway to healthcare is often hindered to a great extent by the lack of the ability to communicate medical necessities due to language barrier. In any clinical setting, efficient patient communication is essential in the delivery and accessibility of quality care and safety.

One example of conflicts that exist among providers and some of the people we serve are challenged with a trio of cultural, linguistic, and health literacy barrier. Nurses are the key people to facilitate the interconnections between patient’s

Patients and their families bring culturally specific beliefs regarding the ideas about health and illness, reporting symptoms, expectations for the delivery of health care, and views about medication and treatment. A culturally sensitivity individual recognizes the differences between cultures and accepts them. Healthcare providers are urged to recognize, respect, and integrate clients' cultural beliefs and practices into health prescriptions (Purnell, 2005, p. 8). A failure to appreciate these differences may cause a misunderstanding or miscommunication about healthcare. Language is the foundation for effective nurse-patient relationships and is important for interpersonal and cross-cultural communication.

Providing medical care to patients with limited or no knowledge of the English language can be very challenging. Miscommunication, different believes and issues can interfere with a good relationship between the health care giver, the patient and very often the patient´s family. I chose to include the patient´s family because the majority of the Latino population gives a big value to the family which is always present when there is a need to take an important decision such as health treatments.

Causal Factor 2: Communication between the clinical staff and patient is recognized to be important for the diagnosis and has therapeutic benefits. Barriers such as cultural or language can present health disparities which have potential cost to both patient and the organization (Dotson & Nuru-Jeter, 2012). Jacobs, Lauderdale, Meltzer, Shorey, Levinson and Thisted (2001) indicate relying on family, friend or nonclinical interpreters can lead to reduced physician trust, lower patient satisfaction, breach patient confidentially, deliver inadequate or inaccurate treatment, and reduce quality of care. Interpreters can improve patient satisfaction, perceived understanding of disease and increase patient compliance with care and follow up appointment (Jacobs, Lauderdale, Meltzer, Shorey, Levinson and Thisted, 2001). Management may look into contracting with translation companies to ensure communication is clear between patient and clinical staff.

This essay will highlight one of the key concepts of nursing .The concept that will be discussed in this essay will be communication, the reason for this chosen concept is that communication plays a vital role in everyday occurrences which defines how a situation is perceived by yourself, others and how communication is effectively handled . There will be a definition on what communication is also an evaluation of the chosen concept will be explored throughout this essay.

This assignment will critique the enhanced communication skills between a registered nurse and service user. For the purpose of this assignment the service user will be referred to as Iris. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout, as stated by the nursing and midwifery council (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC], 2015). The physiological assessment being observed was blood pressure and will critique the communication skills, active listening, non-verbal, verbal communication and dignity. Verbal, non-verbal, visual and written communication are the four main types of communication (Boyd & Dare, 2014). During this observation Iris was having her blood pressure taken prior to commencing haemodialysis. Rapid removal of fluid increases the chance of hypotension during and towards the end of dialysis (Cormier, Magat, Hager & Lee, 2012). This is why it is important to monitor Blood pressure before, during and after haemodialysis. I observed Iris’s Blood Pressure being monitored prior to commencing haemodialysis.

Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Using a patient’s family member to interpret is not acceptable, unless they are trained in medical terminology and the patient has given consent for the family member to be given his or her health care information (Andrews & Boyle, 2016). In this video, the doctor and nurse learned about language access services, and their importance when conveying important information to patients and their families (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Language access services, such as a bed side interpreter, has been shown to help decrease a patient’s admission to the hospital, as well as decrease the thirty-day readmission rate (Karliner, Perez-Stable, & Gregovich,

As Communication with patients is a primary responsibility for a nurse, it is imperative nurses can communicate with different patients hat require different approaches to communications. Depending on a patient’s age, personality, culture,, current medical condition, and other factors, nurses often find their normal methods of communication are ineffective. In these situations, and for patients health needs, knowing a variety of communication techniques is invaluable. Cultural background, race, and ethnicity play an important role in a patient’s life. Not only do these factors play a part treatment and diagnoses, but also in their state of mind and emotional approach to nursing care which could cause problems with the nurse-patient relationship.. Understanding differences socially such as family life, and cultural habits, physical differences, and other defining attributes helps nurses understand how best to help their patients. Sensitivity and knowledge cultural diversity makes in building a healthy nurse-patient relationship.The age of a patient also has a significant impact on the nurse-patient relationship. Children and the elderly require different treatment options and approaches to the relationship than middle-aged adults. Other family members are routinely involved to varying degrees, and heavily

As a nurse we should provide best possible care no matter if we understand our patient or there is a language barrier, there are methods we can use to communicate such as non verbal communication or we can ask interpreter or family member to help us communicate efficiently with a patient. To be able to provide competent care for patients from different cultures we must understand they believes and we should make sure we would avoiding stereotyping or assuming what is good for one patient would be same acceptable for

While providing care it is important to know whom the decision-making person in the family. In any clinical setting, nurses benefit from adopting a clear conceptual framework or map of the family. This encourages the synthesis of data so that family strengths and problems can be identified and a useful nursing plan can be created. (wright). Using interpreters with families who do not speak the language or if the nurse is not bilingual can be encouraged.

Communicating with patients and understanding patient concerns is the foundation of what nurses do and is crucial in providing quality care. If we are unable to communicate with our patients, we are unable to fully engage in the care for those we encounter. As children of God, we are called to care for all of God’s children. By allowing language to be a barrier, we are limiting our ability to care for all of God’s children. This paper will discuss my experience in learning another language and culture, the Christian worldview in considering what

Issues gained from this data collection, such as language barrier is one example how this process of care benefits the patient. A patient who does not have a strong understanding of the English language may need an interpreter to assist with their understanding of their illness, and explain informed consents for procedures, maintaining the patient’s autonomy and respecting their cultural differences is important throughout the care process. This data is electronically documented and can be retrieved for use by other healthcare professionals.