How to Improve Patient Communication in Nursing
- 1). Identify any barriers to communication and take appropriate steps to address them. For instance, does the patient speak English well or does he speak another language better? If so, call for an interpreter. Does the patient hear well enough to communicate easily? If not, does he have hearing aids available?
- 2). Create an environment conducive to communication if you can. Close the door if you need to discuss personal matters. If the patient has visitors, ask her if she's like them to wait outside the room while you talk if you need to discuss sensitive subjects. Sit down near the patient if you have time and make eye contact.
- 3). Explain things clearly in a way the patient can understand. Ask the patient to tell you what he understands about the issue you need to teach him about to make sure he understood you. If the patient didn't understand, explain it in a different way. You may need to explain something multiple times because when patients are sick, anxious or in pain, they may forget important information.
- 4). Practice active listening skills. Make eye contact, learn forward to indicate that you're listening, try not to do other things like write in the patient's chart while you listen and make "listening noises to indicate you're paying attention.
- 5). Reflect or repeat what the patient says to you back to her in your own words to make sure you understand. Ask questions if you don't understand something.
- 6). Let the patient know you will be available if he has questions or wants to talk further at a later time.
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