Patient Communication Nursing Essay

Patient Communication

Introduction

Communication is the process of exchanging or imparting thoughts, opinions, ideas or information between different parties. Generally, patient communication is the communiqué between patient and the healthcare provider. Effective patient communication is important in the sense that it helps to build a good relationship between the nurse and the client (Baum, 2016). This eventually ensures that the nurse provides quality care and service to the patient. This paper will evaluate the types of communication that take place between the patient and the nurse, the factors that influence both positive and negative experiences that occur during this communication, and how the experience can impact the health outcome. Finally, the paper will provide health-based strategies which can be employed in order to improve communication between client/ patients and the nurses (Poel, 2013).

Types of Communication between Nurses and Patients

There are different types of patient communications which are influenced by different factors. The nurse-patient communication can be positive or negative. According to Lindh (2015), the patient can communicate by what they say, their body movements, and through their facial expressions. Therefore, patient communication can be classified into two major categories:  verbal and nonverbal communication. The former occurs when a patient speaks out their thoughts and feelings through oral words, for example, when a client expresses how he/she is feeling to a nurse through word of mouth. On the other hand, nonverbal patient communication greatly involves body language. Moreover, patient communication can also be grouped into other categories such as the use of interview-based questions to diagnose a health problem. In this case, the patient explains his/her health problems to the nurse through answering the presented questions. Another form of patient communication involves the use of information technology. In this type of communication, the nurse uses the electronic health records to communicate with the client (Cordella & Poian, 2015)

Factors That Influence Positive and Negative Experiences during Communication

Patient communication is not a one-way process. As such, it is influenced by many factors.  The main variables that affect both positive and negative experiences during the communication process include excellent communication skills, language, resistance by patients, age, gender, and culture (Pagiano, 2015). First, good communication skills of both the nurse and the patients ensure effective interaction between the two parties which eventually leads to positive experience. Proper use of excellent communication skills by the nurse encourage the patient to participate in the discussions concerning their health problems adequately. This assists the healthcare provider to deliver quality health care to the patient. Second, the resistance of the patient to interact with the nurse always leads to negative experience during the communication process. This is because the nurse will not be able to diagnose the health problem of the patient and the patient will not understand his/her prognosis. Three, the healthcare provider and the patient may experience negative experience during the communication when their ages are different. A nurse who is older than his/her patient may shy away from asking some questions to the patient. Four, the gender of the patient and that of the nurse influences the experience that occurs between the patient and the nurse. When the healthcare provider and the client are in the same age bracket, the experience will be positive. Lastly, when a patient shares a similar culture with the nurse, the relationship tends to be positive, but the interaction is often less productive when the two parties come from a different cultural background (Pagiano, 2015).

Impacts of both Positive and Negative Experience To the Health Outcomes

According to Leigh & Reiser (2013), when there is a positive experience between the nurse and the patient, the patient communication will be effective. Consequently, the healthcare provider will deliver quality services to the client which will eventually improve the outcome of the patient’s health. When the experience is negative, the outcome of the patient will tend to be impacted adversely.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving the Patient Communication

The mode in which a patient presents his/her problem or disorder is a crucial determinant of recognition by a health care provider. Therefore, for patient communication to be effective, some strategies must be put in place (Leigh &Reiser, 2013). One of the tactics that need to be employed in the healthcare system in order to improve communication between the patients/clients and the nurse is the establishment of multicultural communication (Lindh, 2015). Patients are also advised always to discuss their health care issues, listen to nurse’s questions, and give honest answers. According to Cordella and Poian (2014), nurses should also create a good rapport with the patients. Such constructive relationships can be nurtured when nurses are friendly, positive, and non-judgmental.

Conclusion

Patient communication is a critical important component in the healthcare system. Therefore, for high-quality healthcare services to be achieved, effective patient communication must be ensured.  Excellent communication will help in the diagnosis and treatment of the medical condition in question which eventually improves the patient’s outcomes.