Question

Name three specific different communication challenges that can arise when caring for patients in the healthcare environment and give examples (at least 2 for each) of techniques to help overcome each of these challenges.

Answer 1

Good communication between patients and doctors , patients and nurse is extremely important for proper treatment. Barriers in it can affect health outcome of patients.so communication play important role in healthcare services . Different kind of communication challenges can arise when caring for patients in healthcare environment.They are mentioned below with techniques to help overcome these challenges.

1-TIME RESTRICTIONS__There should be no time restrictions while having a communication with patient.Due to lack of staff or more patients or if other patient call you for emergency,it is challenging to give more time to individual patient.patient won't get satisfaction with care and treatment due to lack of attention given to them.They may feel neglected.So it is challenging to provide proper time to each patient. Technique to overcome time restrictions (1)If X Nurse is allotted with 5 patient. Suppose she is taking care of patient A but if other patient call her due to pain or emergency ,it is responsibility of nurse to explain situation to rest of patients politely and assure them to came as soon as possible (2)If still they feel neglected assure them that they can call her anytime if they need something and promise them to return soon after visiting other patients

2--FEAR AND EMBARRASSMENT. --In many cases patient feel embarrassed while explaining​ their problems,they feel awkward in expressing their pain and situation.While treatment it is very difficult for many patients to undress them for examination.So good communication is important ,be polite with them to reduce their fear.use proper terms to avoid misunderstand and embarisment. Technique to avoid embarrassment and fear-(1)Use proper body language,have proper eye contact with patients ,be polite and try to have good communication, use proper terms to avoid embarrassment. (2) suppose if you want a patient to remove clothes for physical examination , firstly explain everything to patient and mention proper clothe type to remove for examination with proper terms and language.Use appropriate words to Avoid embarrassment.

3--EXCESS INFORMATION--There is lot if information we feel important to explain to patient.But it is very challenging as it is very difficult for many patients to absorb lot of information at time given to them.It is not possible for them to remember that tones of information ,also providing lot of information can make them upset or stess or depressed sometimes.so it is very important to manage it properly. Technique to avoid information overload--(1) suppose a old patient visit you and you provide him important information like do and don't things.If it is difficult for him to remember it make a proper notes for them (2) If patient want written information about the medications like dose of medicine and time of medications as it is difficult for them to remember it ,help them in that .(3) If you feel it is important to provide more information to patient arrange further meetings for them to provide more information.