Patient Communication
Prepare a 3–4-page report on nurse-patient communication in which you address types of communication, factors that influence the communication experience, and how the patient experience affects health outcomes. Recommend evidence-based strategies to improve nurse-patient communication and explain how the strategies consider patient demographics.
Nursing professionals do not only communicate with others within their organizations—often, they are also the first point of contact with patients. Thus, nursing professionals need superior communication skills to explain procedures and medication instructions, as well as to listen to what patients need to say.
Clark and Paraska (2014) suggest that understanding how people communicate is the first step in learning how to teach patients more effective methods of listening, self-awareness, and self-expression—and also in identifying barriers in communication. The process of communication can be difficult, as we can interpret meaning based on a variety of hidden messages—some conscious and intentional—some not.
Reference
Clark, C. C., & Paraska, K. K. (2014). Health promotion for nurses: A practical guide. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Imagine that, in an effort to reduce the number of patient complaints about nursing staff, organizational leadership has asked your department to prepare some preliminary research on a number of different topics. Your topic is patient communication, such as the following:
- The types of communication that take place between nurses and patients.
- The factors that can influence both positive and negative experiences.
- How the experience can impact health care outcomes.
- Strategies that can improve the communication between nurses and patients.
Preparation
Search the Capella library and the Internet for peer-reviewed journal articles or other professional resources on the topic of effective communication with patients. You will need at least 3 resources to support your work in this assessment.
Directions
Prepare a report on patient-nurse communication in which you include the following:
- Describe the types of communication that take place between nurses and clients/patients. Do not forget to consider types of communication beyond verbal and written on paper.
- Explain the factors that influence positive and negative experiences during the communication process. (Hint: Consider the experiences of both the client/patient and the nurse. Also, consider things such as age, gender, culture, and so on, of both the client/patient and the nurse.)
- Explain how the client/patient experience can impact health care outcomes.
- Recommend evidence-based strategies for improving communication between client/patients and nurses.
- Explain how the strategies consider different client/patient demographics.
Format this assessment as a report that you would give to your supervisor. It may be helpful for you to review how your organization formats internal reports and incorporate your findings. You are still required to adhere to APA guidelines for in-text citations and references, as well as for formatting your reference page.
Additional Requirements
- Include a title page and a reference page.
- Ensure your assessment is 3–4 pages in length.
- Use double-spaced, 12-pt., Times New Roman font.