Non-verbal communication as one skill patients and their families value during the communication process
Communication remains a significant part of the provision of quality healthcare services to all patients as well as fostering patient satisfaction (Vogel, Meyer, & Harendza, 2018). Health professionals must be in constant communication with their colleagues, patients, and their families in and out of the hospital facility. However, lack of proper communication skills can lead to high readmission numbers and lower patient satisfaction scores. Patients seeking medical services interact with different health professions to varying levels of the treatment process, including doctors, nurses, family members, home care nurses, among others. Along the way, miscommunication may occur, resulting in more complications. Communication skills, therefore, must be valued towards the patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.
Non-verbal communication is one skill patients and their families value during the communication process. Patients value nurses who observe non-verbal communicators while engaging them. Such a skill set is also essential in putting across a powerful message. Frequent eye contact and tone control are two non-verbal communication skills that can help improve patient understanding and satisfaction. Nurses should show empathy towards their patients by maintaining an appropriate body posture, tone, and smile. In the long run, patients will feel secure and at ease. Showing compassionate to patients and their families means creating personal relationships that promote collaboration and patient-centered nursing practice.
Patients also value health professionals who practice active listening skills. Nurses must listen to patients carefully before making any responses (Doas, 2015). Active listening accompanied by non-verbal communication demonstrates to patients that the health professional is following closely to every piece of information relayed. In essence, nurses who nod their heads while patients are speaking indicate that they understand what is being said. Further, patients value nurses who inspire trust in their words and actions. Nurses are mandated to be supportive to all patients, be conservative with their words, and take their concerns seriously. Being supportive instills trust between all the parties involved.
Demonstrating compassion, embracing cultural diversity, and educating patients are other skills that foster better nurse-patient relationships. Patients feel scared when in a hospital setting, and a little compassion can go a long way into building confidence and empathy. Patients also want to be respected regardless of their cultural background. Cultural awareness is essential as patients are unique in one way or the other. Nurses should relate well with all nurses despite the difference in cultural beliefs (Young & Guo, 2016). Through showing compassionate care, patients do away with the feelings of depression and helplessness (Sharp, McAllister, & Broadbent, 2016). Patients also value nurses who educate them on their medical condition, treatment process, and any other health-related concerns. Nurses should simplify medical jargon rather than burden their patients with complicated explanations.
Remarkable, while non-verbal communication skills form part of an excellent nurse catalog, verbal communication skills are equally significant. Patients value nurses who communicate consciously and precise. Verbal communication helps nurses and patients understand each other while building up an engaging nurse-patient relationship. Verbal communication encompasses culture and trust. In essence, nurses should be wary of one`s culture and how these patients should be handled. Miscommunication, as earlier reiterated, can cause misinterpretations. As such, nurses, patients, and their families should engage one another in a manner that all parties understand and comprehend.