NURS 1090 Communication Principles

Principles of Basic Communication

• Unit Outcomes: Describe basic communication characteristics, effective patient interactions, principles, therapeutic techniques, and demonstrate caring behaviors.
• Purpose of Communication: Influencing responses, information gathering, fostering healthy nurse-patient relationships, and ensuring patient safety.
• Essentials: Clear communication is vital for safety and collaboration within healthcare teams.

Elements of Communication Process

• Key Aspects:
  • Verbal Communication: Clarity, brevity, commonly understood vocabulary, humor, and appropriate intonation.
  • Non-Verbal Communication: Body language, personal appearance, posture, facial expressions, eye contact, and gestures contribute to message delivery.

Active Listening

• Definition: Engaging fully and concentrating on the sender’s message, both verbal and nonverbal.
• Attending Behaviors: Nonverbal actions such as posture and facial expressions that support attentive listening.

Techniques for Non-Verbal Communication

• Use relaxed posture, maintain eye contact, and adopt an open body stance.
• Lean towards the patient and position yourself at their eye level to enhance connection.

Touch in Communication

• Purposeful Use: Integral to nursing; includes procedural and comfort touch, reinforcing therapeutic relationships.

Factors Influencing Communication

• Development: Age-related changes especially affect older adults' communication.
• Values: Standards that influence behaviors may differ among individuals.
• Sociocultural Factors: Cultural background, education, and gender influence communication styles.

Communicating with Older Adults

• Best Practices: Speak normally, use clear language, minimize distractions, and provide positive reinforcement through visual aids.
• Avoiding Pitfalls: Refrain from using elderspeak, overly simplistic language, and terms of endearment.

Diverse Populations

• Challenges: Language barriers and cultural diversity require careful consideration of nonverbal cues and the use of interpreters when necessary.

Cultural Considerations

• Awareness: Recognize your own biases, assess the patient’s primary language, and utilize interpreters while ensuring direct communication with the patient.
• Educational Resources: Familiarize yourself with common cultures in your work area.

National Patient Safety Goal

• Focus on Communication: Effective communication is pivotal to preventing adverse patient outcomes.

Therapeutic Communication

• Purposeful: Aimed at influencing responses and promoting patient growth; includes information gathering and support.
• Characteristics: Confidentiality, goal-directed interactions, and prioritizing patient needs.

Nurse's Role in Therapeutic Relationships

• Focus on direct care, advocacy, and providing psychosocial support while maintaining self-awareness and ethical standards.

Concepts Enhancing Therapeutic Relationships

• Components: Caring, trust, unconditional positive regard, and empathy are essential for nurturing effective communication.

Caring and Its Impact

• Definition: Involves warmth, compassion, and support; shown through active listening, reliability, and caring touch.

Building Trust

• Essence: Trust is grounded in the nurse’s competence and commitment to the patient's best interests.
• Techniques: Conveying respect, proper name usage, active listening, and maintaining confidentiality.

Unconditional Positive Regard

• Principle: Viewing each patient as worthy of care, respecting them despite imperfections, and using nonjudgmental language.

Empathy vs Sympathy

• Empathy: Involves understanding and communicating the emotional experience of the patient; crucial in therapeutic communication.
• Sympathy: Sharing feelings which may lead to a loss of objectivity and personal distress.