To: All Staff
Subject: Communicating with Patients
Clear communication is vital to providing the best care possible. However, recently we have not been getting all the information we need.
If you believe you are not getting adequate information from a patient, remember some of the possible causes of miscommunication:
- Poor Health Literacy – Uninformed patients may not understand important terms.
- Negative Preconceptions – Patients may not trust medical professionals. They may experience anxiety when forced to interact with them.
- Cultural Differences – Different cultures may have different approaches to dealing with illness and health care.
If you recognize any of these issues, a few simple steps can be all that is required to improve communication:
- Establish a good rapport with the patient. Patients heal better in a therapeutic environment.
- Show empathy and understanding at all times.
- Be aware of how your verbal and nonverbal cues are affecting the interaction.
- Avoid using jargon as much as possible. This may confuse or intimidate the patient.
- Ask open-ended questions to signal to patients that you care about their input.
Remember, everyone shares the responsibility of effective communication with patients. The more information we can give and receive, the better care we can provide.
