Question

In Chapter 7 of the textbook by Corr & Corr, the importance of effective communication for both dying persons and for those helping such person was stressed. Why is communication important for the dying and their helpers? What promotes effective communication among such people? What is a specific example, from your own experience, of poor communication? What is a specific example, from your own experience, of good communication?  In your response, please include some detail  about your specific examples of poor and good communication (just saying "I had a fight with my parents," isn't adequate or "my friend and I talked and everything was better afterwards," is also not sufficient)

Answer 1

Communication is the basic element of human interactions that allows people to establish, maintain and improve contacts with others

Components

Sender ( Source)

Message ( Content )

Channel ( Medium )

Receiver ( Audience )

Feedback ( Effect )

Why communication is important for dying & their helpers?

The concept of dying & death is developed over time, as the person grows, experiences various losses, & thinks about concrete & abstract concepts. The nurses knowledge of these developmental stages helps in understanding some of the clients response to the life threatening situation.

Communication is very important among dying & their helpers. Dying person & their dear ones are passing through Anticipatory grieving ( Denial, guilt, anger, despair) They may thought of doing suicide, do it is very important to have a good communication here.

In case of terminal illness, the state of awareness shared by the dying person and their family affect the nurses ( helper ) ability to communicate freely with clients & other health care team & to assist in grieving process.

Effective communication method

For promoting effective communication among during & their helpers one of the below mentioned method can be followed by understanding the will power of the client

1. Open awareness

The client & people around know about the impending death & feel comfortable discussing it

Eve though it is difficult, it gives an opportunity to finalize affairs. Not all can handle this method.

2. Mutual pretense

Here client, family & helper person know that the prognosis is terminal, but do not talk about it. Through this the client can protect his privacy.

3. Closed Awareness

Here the client & family has no idea about the impending death & nurse is unable to communicate because of ethical problems.

Basic principles for effective communication

Purpose oriented

Appropriate to situation

Suitable language & medium

Appropriate timing

Example of good communication

During my clinical posting, I met Mr T, Age 63, has metastatic carcinoma of the bowel. I noticed rapid deterioration in energy in the past week and by communicating with him he revealed that he feels nauseated & bloated & Mr T says "" I know I haven't long to live. Why can't they just give me a big dose of morphine & get it over with. Through I provide him an effective counseling about his condition & he came out off depression

Example of poor communication

During the first day of my clinical rotations, I met Ms. M, who has multiple sclerosis, She told me to help her to commit suicide. I became very stressed and was not having skills to console her. There I started crying, which made her more depressed. My batchmates came there to educate her in good manner & relived her sadness.

​​​​​​