Reviewed by Nicole Iannelli Show
The importance of effective communication in nursing goes far beyond speaking to your patient about their care. As a nurse, you are also responsible for communicating with patients in a therapeutic way. But, what does this mean? Effective therapeutic communication is a way to improve nurse-patient interaction, as well as build trust between the registered nurse and their patients. Nurses are meant to provide patients with that support and information while they are maintaining a professional distance and objectivity. Open-ended statements and questions are often used to help patients work through situations under the guidance of the clinical team. So, before sending your application to different travel nursing agencies, let’s brush up on effective therapeutic communication techniques. What are some therapeutic communication techniques?There are 12 therapeutic communication techniques that every nurse should know. The following techniques can help you improve your communication with patients:
How can nurses improve therapeutic communication?Communication is key in the healthcare field, especially for nurses. As a nurse today, you are required to have exceptional communication skills in addition to clinical skills. Today’s nurses must be able to effectively communicate with doctors, other nurses, patients, and families, all while juggling the stressful demands of a clinical setting. There is always room to grow your therapeutic communication skills. In our latest blog, we outlined ways you can improve your effective communication. While this is important in the clinical setting, therapeutic communication is more important for overall patient care. So, looking at how to improve therapeutic communication in nursing? Here are a few ways you can improve your therapeutic communication skills as a nurse:
How does Therapeutic Communication in nursing practice improve patient safety?What is the importance of therapeutic communication in nursing? Patient safety is one of the most important aspects of nursing. While in a hospital or skilled nursing, the nurse is responsible for ensuring patient safety. The key to this is an open line of communication. Communication is the cornerstone of healthcare, and the way in which items are conveyed can impact overall patient care. When communicating with your co-workers, it should be done in an effective way with verbal, non-verbal, and written skills. It is vital that you are providing information as thoroughly as possible. However, when you are communicating with patients, this needs to be done in an honest and therapeutic way. This helps ease some of the stress for patients while they are in treatment. Some studies have shown that when clinicians communicate effectively, they are able to provide a safer and higher quality of care. Additionally, when nursing managers have an open door policy it can lead to a better work environment and a more positive moral. This can also lead to an overall more positive patient experience. Therapeutic Communication for Patient CareUsing the right therapeutic communication technique is key to the success of patient care. Techniques that every nurse already knows can be expanded upon to help build trust between fellow nurses, doctors, and patients. Ready to apply these therapeutic communication techniques? Speak with our team of recruiters today to learn about all of the locations our nurses are currently working in. Reviewed By: Nicole Iannelli, Human Resources Administrator– Nicole has worked for MAS Medical Staffing for over a year. She has 3 children and is recently engaged. While Nicole is not working, she loves hanging out with her family and friends. References:
Given all the time nurses and therapists spend with patients, these clinicians are in the best position to:
To do all that for their patients, nurses and therapists must understand and use the best therapeutic communication techniques. Purposes of Therapeutic Communication TechniquesBefore we look at any therapeutic communication techniques, we should understand why a nurse or therapist ought to bother with them. Because frankly, they’re hard work. Let’s say you’re a nurse, and you want to help a patient get well. You could simply tend to tasks like changing sheets, taking vitals, bringing meds, and helping the patient to the bathroom. But that would be basic patient care. You want to provide quality care. Quality care goes beyond just completing tasks for your patient. Quality care means interacting with your patient to learn how their healing is progressing, then tailoring your behavior to suit the unique physical and emotional needs of your patient, at that moment. And that’s where therapeutic communication comes in.
By using therapeutic communication methods, a nurse can respectfully and compassionately lead a patient to share the most pertinent information about:
The healing process for most patients involves a collection of clinical tests and treatments. But for many patients, therapeutic communication contributes just as much to their overall healing. You can think of it like this: Clinical tests look at physical attributes to assess the organs, structure, and systems of the physical body, and clinical treatments seek to fix problems found by the tests. The purpose of therapeutic communication, then, is to help clinicians build trust with patients while also helping clinicians and patients collaborate efficiently and effectively toward the patient’s physical and emotional wellness. 17 Therapeutic Communication TechniquesIn some interactions with patients, clinicians are simply being friendly. But in many interactions, clinicians are trying to achieve a clinical objective. Therapeutic communication techniques play a leading role in reaching the clinical objective. To get maximum effectiveness from therapeutic communication techniques, clinicians should follow three steps:
When a clinician is skillful with therapeutic communications, they can develop a therapeutic relationship with their patient. Through that relationship, the clinician becomes more effective at recognizing and influencing meaningful changes in the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional state. And remember, therapeutic communications are not restricted to face-to-face encounters. Technology brings more opportunities to use therapeutic communication techniques. We’ve been using phones and email for years. More recent developments allow clinicians and patients to connect via secure texting and video conferencing. These technologies are especially helpful for patients with chronic conditions that require routine monitoring, and also for post-op patients who need follow-up care. Clinicians can build and strengthen their relationship by using these technologies to more frequently apply their therapeutic communication skills — even when patients have left the hospital or clinic. ConclusionsAccording to the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, therapeutic communications are marked by “an attitude of respect, dignity, and empowerment.” Sure, it’s a challenge. Nurses and therapists are asked to be always “on” and ready to pour their best mental and emotional energy into their communications while simultaneously offering their best clinical knowledge and skills. But the rewards are massive. When nurses and therapists take their valuable clinical training and skills, add targeted therapeutic communication techniques, and take advantage of new ways to bring patients into the conversation, then we and the people we care about receive better care with fewer missteps, and our healing is faster and more complete. Tags: therapeutic communication, nurse client relationship, active listening, therapeutic relationship, communication techniques, encourage the client, eye contact, recognition acknowledgment, therapeutic communication techniques |