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Therapeutic Communication Assignment

Peter Jhon L. Colobong

New Brunswick Community College CRIB Program

Professional Communication (NB CRIB Program) (1249-3072)

Patricia Carvalho-Bradley, RN BN ADN.

September 14, 2024

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Non-Therapeutic Section

1. Interrupting the Patient:

The nurse kept interrupting the patient, slowing therapy. Interrupting someone may make

them feel ignored and offended, affecting trust and communication. Interruptions may

make a patient seem uninterested in their feelings. Rosàs Tosas, M. (2021). A power

imbalance may make the victim feel inconsequential. Effective communication requires

healthcare workers to listen and allow patients to speak.

2. Giving False Reassurances:

The nurse said, “Everything will be fine,” disregarding the patient’s concerns. Mis’s

assurances might invalidate the patient's sentiments and cause mistrust. Patients expect

empathy and validation when they express concerns, not hollow promises. Healthcare

practitioners may downplay patients' experiences by rejecting their concerns with too

positive words. The patient may feel their emotions are not being taken seriously and

become reluctant to share Boctor, L. (2014).

3. Changing the Subject

As the patient recounted their suffering, the nurse immediately shifted the topic to

medication scheduling. This can make the patient believe their difficulties are

unimportant, deterring them from talking. Park, S. A., & Kellerman, T. (2022). Patients

worry about pain; therefore, openly discussing it is essential for management. Without

addressing the patient's urgent concerns, the nurse may appear apathetic or dismissive.

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Medical professionals must address patients' main concerns before moving on to other

areas to make them feel heard and valued.

4. Complex Medical Jargon:

The nurse employed phrases the patient did not comprehend. Confusion and fear might

isolate the sufferer and make them less willing to talk. Medical language can intimidate

and alienate new patients. Plain language that the patient can understand is essential for

effective communication. Patients are more likely to participate in their care and make

informed treatment decisions when they understand the facts.

5. Judgment:

The nurse criticized the patient's lifestyle choices. Judgmental words can cause shame

and defensiveness, hindering communication. Patients typically want support and

empathy from doctors when discussing delicate matters like lifestyle choices. Critical

comments can undermine the patient-provider relationship by making patients feel

criticized and less inclined to follow medical advice. Healthcare providers must cultivate

non-judgmental talks with empathy and without prejudice.

6. Lack of Eye Contact:

A nurse's lack of eye contact may indicate apathy or lack of empathy. Trust and rapport

require eye contact. Healthcare practitioners who make eye contact are involved in the

discourse. Without eye contact, patients may feel forgotten or unimportant, lowering their

confidence in their care. Strong patient-provider relationships require verbal and non-

verbal communication, and eye contact shows attentiveness and care.

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7. Talking Over the Patient:

The nurse interrupted the patient, preventing them from expressing their emotions. This

can make patients feel unappreciated and unwilling to complain. Giving patients

uninterrupted time to talk is key to effective healthcare communication. Sharkiya, S. H.

(2023). Healthcare providers dominating the conversation might make patients feel

unappreciated. Allowing patients to talk freely and valuing their contributions fosters a

collaborative and respectful relationship that addresses their issues.

8. Neglecting Non-Verbal Cues:

The nurse ignored the patient's fidgeting and worried facial expression. Understanding

the patient's emotions and requirements requires nonverbal indicators Wanko Keutchafo,

E. L., Kerr, J., & Baloyi, O. B. (2022). Patients commonly express their emotions through

body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues. These indicators help

healthcare workers comprehend patients' emotional well-being and respond

appropriately. Non-verbal indicators can indicate missing assistance and action, leaving

the patient feeling misunderstood and ignored.

9. Unsolicited Advice:

The nurse offered treatment and patient condition advice. Advice without knowing the

patient's perspective can seem dismissive and dictatorial Cox, C., & Fritz, Z. (2022)—

patients like when their thoughts and experiences are considered before making

recommendations. Unsolicited advice might be intrusive and not address the patient's

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needs. Effective communication fosters a collaborative approach to care by listening to

the patient, asking for their ideas, and providing individualized advice.

10. Insufficient Active Listening:

The nurse's comments did not match the patient's statements. Active listening creates a

supportive environment by focusing, understanding, and responding to the patient. Active

listening shows that healthcare personnel value patient feedback and want to understand

their issues. Hearing the words and interpreting their emotions and intent are required.

Active listening helps healthcare providers develop trust, improve patient happiness, and

improve care.

Therapeutic Section

1. Open-Ended Questions:

The nurse asked, “How are you feeling today?” This type of question encourages patients

to describe their experience rather than answer yes or no. Nurses learn more about

patients' conditions, feelings, and anxieties using open-ended questioning. The nurse can

tailor care and make the patient feel heard by understanding their perspective. This

enhances nurse-patient trust and teamwork.

2. Patient Empathy:

The nurse sympathized, “I can sense that this is really difficult for you.” Empathy

involves validating the patient's feelings. Because the patient feels understood and

encouraged, this strategy creates trust. Empathy helps ease the patient's emotional weight

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and lonelinessGuidi, C., & Traversa, C. (2021). It also encourages patients to discuss

their concerns, which can assist in adapting therapy. Compassionate nursing requires

empathy.

3. Maintain Eye Contact:

The nurse pays attention by making eye contact throughout the conversation. Eye contact

shows sincerity and focus. Patients feel valued and respected since it fosters trust. The

nurse can assess the patient's emotions and respond appropriately by making eye contact.

This simple yet powerful method may help the patient feel more comfortable discussing

their difficulties.

4. Active Listening:

Like, “So, you're saying that the pain is worse at night?” Active listening involved

nodding and summarizing the patient's comments. Active listening involves focusing,

understanding, and responding. Sutton, J. (2016, July 21. Summary and reflection

demonstrate the nurse is listening and supports the patient's feelings. It ensures the nurse

learns the patient's issues and creates trust and respect. A compassionate therapeutic

environment requires active listening.

5. Language Simplification:

The nurse spoke plainly, not medically. Patient comprehension is essential for effective

communication. Simple language calms and informs patients Bartolome, J. (2024,

September 13). It promotes patient participation and decision-making by encouraging

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questioning. For patient comprehension and engagement, the nurse simplifies medical

terms, increasing health outcomes.

6. Recognizing Patient Feelings:

“It’s alright to feel scared about this,” the nurse reassured the patient. To communicate

therapeutically, acknowledge feelings. It reassures the patient that their feelings matter.

Validation eases patient worry and gives emotional support. For better patient care and

comfort, the nurse must detect and treat the patient's emotional state to cultivate empathy

and support.

7. Expression Promotion:

The nurse asked, “Please tell me more about what you’re experiencing.” This method

helps nurses understand patients' feelings and conditions by encouraging them to talk.

Encouragement of expression helps patients understand and feel better. It promotes

teamwork because patients feel heard and valued. More accurate assessments and

personalized care strategies can ensue.

8. Information Sharing:

The nurse provided straightforward diagnoses and treatment options. Patients can make

educated care decisions with clear health information. The patient feels more in control,

reducing anxiety. Self-management and treatment compliance require autonomy and

confidence, which the nurse teaches.

9. Nonverbal Communication:

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The nurse exhibited empathy by nodding and leaning forward—therapy benefits from

nonverbal clues. Positive body language suggests the nurse is attentive and

compassionate, making the patient feel understood. The nurse's nonverbal cues may show

concern and support. Nonverbal communication builds trust and teamwork between

nurses and patients Wanko Keutchafo, E. L., Kerr, J., & Baloyi, O. B. (2022).

10. Help Out:

The nurse said, “I’m here to help you through this.” Patient support shows the nurse is

there to help. This message of encouragement may alleviate loneliness and anxiety. It

builds trust and security by making the nurse compassionate and trustworthy. Support

from the nurse can help the patient face health concerns with confidence, boosting well-

being.

Areas for Improvement in Therapeutic Communication

1. More Reflective Listening:

Repeating what the speaker said shows understanding and empathy in reflective listening.

Rephrasing the patient's words could have helped the nurse reflectively listen. If the patient said,

"I'm very scared about my upcoming surgery," the nurse could answer, "It sounds like you're

feeling anxious about your procedure." This demonstrates the nurse is listening and supports the

patient's feelings, making them feel understood. Active participation fosters trust and

communication.

2. Examining Root Causes

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It involves researching the patient's concerns to find the reason for their symptoms. The

nurse may have asked, "What do you think is causing this pain?" or "When did these

symptoms start?" These questions help people reveal more information for diagnosis and

treatment. Understanding the causes helps nurses deliver more targeted care and improve

patient health.

3. Using Silence More Effectively

Silence can be a powerful healthcare communication technique. The nurse could have

used silence better by letting the patient think and speak. The nurse could pause after

asking a question to let the patient respond. This can relax patients and facilitate

discussion. Silence may let the nurse assess patient data and prepare for the next contact.

4. Many Validations:

Accept and validate patient feelings and experiences without judgment. More often, the

nurse could have remarked, "It's understandable that you feel this way," or "Your feelings

are entirely valid." Validating the patient emotionally makes them feel valued. It can help

reduce anxiety and discomfort, which is important in hospitals where patients may feel

vulnerable or scared.

5. Promoting Self-Efficacy:

Help patients believe they can overcome challenges. Nurses may have stated,

"You've handled similar situations effectively previously, and I feel you can do it

again." They can enhance patient confidence and resilience. Believers in health

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control are more inclined to adopt healthy practices and follow treatment

suggestions. Empowerment and health improve with self-efficacy.

References:

Rosàs Tosas, M. (2021). Interrupting Patients in Healthcare Settings: What is Being Interrupted?

Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-021-09755-0

Boctor, L. (2014). Boost therapeutic relationships. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!, 12(1), 54.

https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nme.0000438411.53496.93

Park, S. A., & Kellerman, T. (2022). Acute Nursing Care: Recognition and Response to

Deteriorating Patients. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal. https://anmj.org.au/acute-

nursing-care-recognition-and-response-to-deteriorating-patients/

How To Use Eye Contact To Communicate In Health And Social Care - Care Learning. (2024,

June 8). Carelearning.org.uk.

https://carelearning.org.uk/blog/communication-blog/how-to-use-eye-contact-to-communicate-

in-health-and-social-care/

Sharkiya, S. H. (2023). Quality Communication Can Improve patient-centered Health Outcomes

among Older Patients: a Rapid Review. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 1–14.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09869-8

‌Wanko Keutchafo, E. L., Kerr, J., & Baloyi, O. B. (2022). A Model for Effective Nonverbal

Communication between Nurses and Older Patients: A Grounded Theory Inquiry. Healthcare,

10(11), 2119. https://mdpi-res.com/healthcare/healthcare-10-02119/article_deploy/healthcare-10-

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02119.pdf?version=1666431325 Cox, C., & Fritz, Z. (2022). Presenting complaint: use of

language that disempowers patients. BMJ, 377(8335), e066720. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-

2021-066720

Guidi, C., & Traversa, C. (2021). Empathy in patient care: From “clinical empathy” to “empathic

Concern.” Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy, 24(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-021-

10033-4

Sutton, J. (2016, July 21). Active listening: The art of empathetic conversation. Positive

Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/active-listening/

‌Bartolome, J. (2024, September 13). The Power of Conversation: Enhancing Patient Experience

Through Effective Communication – Synergy Advantage. Synergy Advantage.

https://synergyadvantage.com/the-power-of-conversation-enhancing-patient-experience-through-

effective-communication/

Wanko Keutchafo, E. L., Kerr, J., & Baloyi, O. B. (2022). A Model for Effective Nonverbal

Communication between Nurses and Older Patients: A Grounded Theory Inquiry. Healthcare,

10(11),2119.https://mdpi-res.com/healthcare/healthcare-10-02119/article_deploy/healthcare-10-

02119.pdf?version=1666431325

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