Despite having a limited knowledge of dentistry, I did have a substantial belief that any individual who works in a role that requires communication would benefit by utilising effective communication skills. This view primarily stems from my three-year experience as a cashier at a supermarket. Serving an average of 1000 customers per week, a major a part of my role involves communicating effectively with customers to ensure they enjoy their experience and return to the store. Assertive communication, questioning and using appropriate communication and language for the context are some of the more frequent skills I employ as a cashier. However, occasionally customers disclose personal hardships and feelings. Regardless of the story’s repetition, …show more content…
This is referred to as empathetic communication (T. Norfolk, et al., 2007). In Eric Larson’s journal (2005), JAMA: the journal of the American Medical Association, he discusses the importance of empathy, stating that it enhances outcomes, increases patient satisfaction and reduces anxiety (p. 1000-1006). This view is corroborated by Back and Arnold (2005), who elucidates that empathy demonstrated by health professionals can decrease negative interactions and emotions. In contrast, several studies report that the patient’s acknowledgment of their health-care professionals’ empathy relates to better health outcomes (Decety, 2015). This subsequently suggests that the use of empathy in a professional context can influence patients to return to and promote the practice. Therefore, by empathising with patients, professionals can create better health outcomes, increase business, and reduce anxiety and other negative …show more content…
As a consequence, my understanding of communication skills, and how professionals may utilise these skills in a given context, has increased majorly. Whilst I can establish the importance of rapport building and the use of empathy in both Stiles’ and my current work-role, I am unaware of how vital these communication skills would be in my future profession as a neuropsychologist. However, both work roles are in the health context and revolve around patients. Therefore, I have learnt that there may be times where patients are anxious, nervous, upset and frustrated. In these situations, I will have to apply effective communication skills in order to perform my job effectively. In order to reduce or dissipate these negative feelings, Stiles suggests to employ the skill of empathy. This view has been corroborated by Eric Larson, a clinical professor ("Department of Health Services: Eric B. Larson",
Hojat, M., Louis, D. Z., Maxwell, K., Markham, F., Wender, R., & Gonnella, J. S. (2010). Patient perceptions of physician empathy, satisfaction with physician, interpersonal trust, and compliance. International Journal of Medical Education, 1 (4), 83-87.
Bylund, C., Peterson, E., & Cameron, K. (2011). A practitioner’s guide to interpersonal communication theory: An overview and exploration of selected theories. Patient Education and Counselling. Volume 87. Issue 3. Pages 261- 267. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2011.10.006.
In this assignment, I am going to review four cases, which will require a number of different communication skills focusing primarily on; developing a therapeutic relationship, communicating assertively, communicating effectively with an individual with a disability/impairment and communicating with individuals from another culture. I will discuss building a therapeutic relationship and effective communication with each patient.
In conclusion, breakdown in communication is evident in the described scenarios suggesting its importance in effective team working. I demonstrated honesty and it was successful in managing these situations. In practice, ethical dilemmas could arise, but the patients’ best interest is still paramount and is dependent on the maintenance of trust between the dental team and the patient
Non-verbal cues weigh heavily regarding patients’ ability trust doctors; they need to believe the doctor exhibits empathy for their situation. For instance, failure to initiate eye contact suggest coldness and a lack of interest. (Gartland, p. 23) Furthermore, many patients believe doctors are arrogant. (Gartland, p.23) A despondent child in Duke’s Pediatric Emergency Department belted at a resident, “You think you know everything!” Patient mistrust intensifies as a result of the doctors’ pretentious tone. Again, despite the personal nature of their profession, doctors frequently pontificate. (Gartland, p. 25) Physicians’ boastful tone suggest that the patient’s opinion is no longer important. Consequently, patients lose aith in the doctors’ ability to cater to their specific
What the research proved, was the enrichment of patients and an improved treatment outcomes. Empathy was the key to the success, thus a huge strength surrounding patient care (2011). However, I personally view empathy with many limitations. Epistemological Assumptions are one limitation when practitioners listen with third ears. For example, when a doctor doesn’t listen to the patient, rather, listens to the family or nurses. (2003) Practitioners will sometimes focus on feelings, not meanings. This in its self can be limiting, depending on the issue. If it’s a trauma, moving past the devastation is virtually impossible when focusing on the emotions it brings. Finding meaning in the experience, will allow the patient to heal. (2003). The expert knower, further undermines the patients story by creating superiority over the patient. All of these diminish the client and their experience, further breaking the bond of the client therapist
When using empathy with a client, the nurse is able to step into their shoes and understand what they are going through, essentially feeling what they feel (Barkin, 2011, as cited in Davies, 2014, p. 198). Ward et al., (2012) found that being able to communicate on the same platform as your client, meaning to place yourself in the same mindset as them is critically important to create a foundation of reliance (as cited in Davis, 2014, p. 198). Research by Davies (2014) found that embracing the empathic method not only requires you to venture into the mind of your client, but it also necessitates the ability to slide your own personal thoughts and emotions out of the way and dedicate all focus on the individual before you (p. 201). These thoughts expressed by each author, encircle what I already find to be most valuable in a nurse. Acquiring the skills to push your own feelings aside, with emphasis added on not being judgmental is very crucial to building a healthy relationship with your
Additionally, other concepts of verbal communication skills such as questioning and probing, paraphrasing and understanding are used when talking to patients. Questioning and probing is where various types of questions and statements...
Not only is professional communication important in the portrayal of a good nursing image and behaviour, it also plays a vital role in patient care and health outcomes. The ANMC standards serve as a good guidance on the need to establish therapeutic relationship through effective communication. As nurses spend relatively more time with patients, they play a significant role in bridging a patient and doctor. Hence, it is would help for nurses to constantly hone their communication skills through experience over time.
This is because, conversing empathetically can lead to better outcomes as it can have positive effects on client’s anxiety, pain, and hopelessness (Williams & Stickley, 2010). As well, it enables clients to cooperate more effectively towards treatments (Arnold & Boggs, 2015). Being empathetic promotes a humanistic interaction where the main objective is to make one feel understood and appreciated. By gathering data through the client’s words and actions, the nurse can use this information to carefully construct an appropriate response that will make a client feel that his or her feelings have been acknowledged (Monica, 1979). Furthermore, for a nurse to efficiently demonstrate empathy, nurses must be aware of their own biases and avoid bringing these personal views into the health care setting as these can negatively affect the client (Williams & Stickley,
This involves the nurse understanding a patient’s situation and the pain they may be experiencing (physical and/or emotional). Nurses should learn the situation of their patients so they can provide them with the correct help and empathize in a therapeutic way. Resonating with the patient will make them feel comforted as well as thankful. If a nurse does not show empathy, the patient will feel lonely. (use references to back up the need for empathy in estab an effective ‘nurse-client’ relationship)
Rapport and empathy are two essential skills for communication in health services. In this integrative essay, it is displayed how rapport and empathy play an important role for communication in health services, such as counselling and psychotherapy. Empathy helps building rapport with the client. Both skills are needed in counselling, because once the client has found trust in the counsellor there is a bigger chance of them opening up about their feelings. If a client has a good rapport with the counsellor, they are less likely to discontinue the sessions. A five minute non-scripted video is included with this essay and will be referred back to, while describing and discussing rapport building and empathic listening. The video’s content is a first interview with a client, where the client tells the counsellor about a troubling issue. At the end a self-reflection is included, which will reflect upon the video, the challenges faced and future improvements for personal improvement upon communication skills.
Listening can be defined as empathy, silent, attention to both verbal and nonverbal communication and the ability to be nonjudgmental and accepting (Shipley 2010). Observing a patient’s non-verbal cues, for example, shaking or trembling may interpret as an underlying heart condition that may not have been addressed (Catto & Mahmud 2012). Empathy is defined as being mindful of and emotional to the feelings, opinions, and encounters of another (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary 2009 as cited in Shipley 2010). Providing an environment conducive to nonjudgmental restraints allows the patient to feel respected and trusted whereby the patient can share information without fear of negativity (Shipley 2010). For example, a patient who trusts a nurse builds rapport enabling open communication advocating a positive outcome (Baker et al. 2013). Subsequently, repeating and paraphrasing a question displays effective listening skills of knowledge learned (Shipley 2010). Adopting a therapeutic approach to listening potentially increases the patient’s emotional and physical healing outcomes (Shipley 2010). Nonetheless, patients who felt they were genuinely heard reported feelings of fulfilment and harmony (Jonas- Simpson et al. 2006 as cited in Shipley 2010). Likewise, patients may provide
Communication plays a vital role in all areas of healthcare, yet its importance is often overlooked. Whether it is a doctor talking to patients about treatment options, or strangers comforting one another in a waiting room, communication is happening everywhere and almost always, we underestimate how important it is and how it truly affects our medical experience. In the movie The Doctor, this is exactly what happens, causing a whirlwind effect of emotions and learning.
It is about the personal understanding and treatment of the patient as an individual, interpreting the situation from their perspective. Gain a complete understanding grounded in professional and research-based knowledge of clinical practice; personal reflection and a consciousness of the patient’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. (Olckers, Gibbs & Duncan 2007: 2-3) Empathy involves gaining insight into patients’ backgrounds, core values, relationships and medical history through dialogue. Chochinov 2007: 1877 - 1877. Reflective Dimension:..