COURSE: Professional Nursing
Communication can be defined as a process by which information is exchanged between individuals
o We cannot have a
... [Show More] relationship without communication
o 90% of communication is non-verbal
o The intent of any communication is to elicit a response
o Communication is a process and have 2 main purposes:
a) To influence others
b) To obtain information
o It can occur on an intrapersonal level-within a single individual (self-talk), interpersonal level as
well as on group levels
o Nurses who communicate effectively are better able to collect assessment data, initiate
interventions, initiate change that promotes health, and prevent the safety and legal problems
associated with nursing practice
Modes of Communication
Nonverbal- body language- eye contact, gestures, proxemics, facial expressions
Verbal- speaking- consider denotative- literal and connotative- emotional meanings of words
Electronic- texting
Factors that Affect Communication
o Culture
o Values, perceptions and attitudes
o Territoriality
o Personal space
o Roles and relationships
o Age/development
o Gender
o Environment- internal/external
Factors that Hider Effective Communication
o Stress- this can be interpreted by the patient and a clear message is not sent
o Communication barriers- can include: distractions, poor planning, opposing personalities
o Communication pitfalls- include: giving advice, making others wrong, being defensive, judging
the other person, being patronizing, giving false reassurance, asking “why” questions and blaming
others
SBAR Communication is one of the most popular structured communication techniques used in health
care
SITUATION – The health care provider identifies the patient, the physician, the diagnosis, and the
location of the patient. The health care provider describes the patient situation that has led to this SBAR
communication
BACKGROUND- The hcp provides background information, which could include information relevant
to the current situation, mental status, current vital signs, chief complaint, pain level, and physical
assessment of the patient
ASSESSMENT- The hcp offers an assessment of the chief problem and describes the seriousness of
the situation. Any specific changes in the patient’s condition should be described
RECOMMENDATION- The hcp can make a request of the health team members
Concept- is another word for an idea; nurses make use of concepts to highlight the related concepts
around a particular topic
Theory- goes beyond conceptual models and frameworks to show the nature and significance of
relationships among concepts
The Concept of Nursing
o Provide safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care
o Promote health and well-being
o Promote and respect informed decision-making
o Preserve dignity
o Maintain privacy and confidentiality
o Promote justice & be accountable [Show Less]