Working with such a huge audience requires a systematic and purposeful effort rather than random decisions. It is not limited to specific audiences but expands to large targets at internal, external, national or even international levels. Keep the conversation going, we’re listening.Effective communication is the driving force that ensures smooth and exact transmission of messages. What better gift to give our patients and families than an arsenal of information to manage their health and forge that connection through talking, listening, and ensuring understanding, safety and trust. To communicate optimally is to be present with each other and to speak and listen empathically. Let’s remind ourselves that communicating effectively results in the best results for caregivers, recipients and all other relationships. Respectful repetition and patience are needed and appreciated to accommodate full understanding and optimal outcomes. Translated to the healthcare arena where patients are fearful, anxious and in pain, they are not processing information the way they normally would. Lastly, and equally as important, is the fact that we lose 25 percent of our intelligence when we are under stress. We are missing so much through technology. The caveat is these neurons are only activated when we are present with each other. Our brains have special cells called mirror neurons that enable us to assimilate words, body language and tone of voice, resulting in empathic and compassionate communication. The conundrum then becomes how much effective communication we lose via technology and, even more, how much articulating and listening younger generations have never learned. The rest is through body language and tone of voice. Words aren’t the only component of communication they are a mere 10 percent. Either way, the information we glean to provide care isn’t complete. If patients don’t feel we are listening, most times they will either stop talking or embellish to get our attention. When you consider that the way you listen will determine what people tell you, listening is an integral part of the care we give. Sadly, technology takes away not only talking but the fine art of listening. It’s interesting that, out of the four ways we communicate, listening is the only one we are never formally taught, yet when you break it down it comprises 90 percent of the time we would normally spend communicating. In addition, when someone talks, we need to listen. We get a good start with authentic communication by spending the first four years of our lives learning how to talk, only to succumb to technology and the resulting lack of human interaction and “real” talking. To be articulate, respectful and empathetic as caregivers, we increase patient understanding and ultimately compliance. Since effective communication is so integral to everyone’s success in and out of healthcare, here are a few things to consider and remember as we begin and sustain our relationships.Ĭontrary to popular belief, the four ways we communicate are reading, writing, speaking and listening.Ĭhanging our words changes our outcomes. When communication is effective, recovery times are shorter and clinical outcomes are better in large part because mutual purpose and accountability lead to increased compliance. This relationship is a winning combination for all. We are going to take care of you while you’re here and teach you how to take care of yourself when you’re not. Through dialogue, we also help develop mutual accountability. In this way, healthcare professionals create mutual purpose via diagnosis, treatment and health management, in order to facilitate the most optimal health outcomes for the patient. Deep-seated in all of this is effective, “real” communication.īelieve it or not, despite the healthcare industry’s state-of-the-art everything (technology, equipment, buildings, campuses), the number one way we still treat our patients and families is through communication.Įxplanation, education and information sharing are a large part of the patient experience, as we include the patient and family as partners in the healthcare team. Our survival depends on human interaction, which creates connection, trust and safety. Designate Another Adult to Obtain Medical Care for Your Child.
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