Nurses And Patient Family Communication

The hand over process of communication between nurses to nurses is done with the intention of transferring essential information for safe, and patient centered care. Traditionally, this shift report has been done away from the patient’s bedside, at the nurse’s station, or other place like staff’s room. In addition, the shift report used to be delivered through audio recording of the patient’s information. These reporting mechanisms did not include face-to-face reporting of the patient information, nor involvement of patient. Therefore, information regarding the patient’s care was not shared with the patient, leaving them out of his/her own care plan. Recent studies and development of Patient Centered Care Philosophy have challenged this belief of giving a report away from the patient. Tan (2015) said, “Shift report must not only be restricted in nurse to nurse communication, but it must involve patients as the recipients of care” (p. 1). Incorporating the patient into the end of shift report is essential for providing patient centered care and patient satisfaction. Nurses at the St Jude Medical center in the acute in-patient rehabilitation unit are not exceptional. Most of the end of the shift report between nurses are still done away from the patient. Aim of this paper is to make a change in the work place, which is the process of giving end of shift report at the bedside incorporating patient and families in the acute in-patient rehabilitation unit at St Jude Medical

“Each year in the United States, approximately 50,000 children die and 500,000 children cope with life-limiting conditions” (Varela et al., 2012, p. 171). According to the Department of Health children’s “palliative care is centered on services that cater for young patients with a range of life-limiting and life-threatening conditions” (Department of Health (DH) 2008, Spathis et al 2012).

Holistic healthcare demands interpersonal collaboration within the nurses and the community for the excellent care of the patient. For example, for a patient suffering from a mental disorder, it is necessary for the nurses to collaborate with each other as well as with the social workers assigned to the patient and his family, which is true if the patient is also a guardian. (Wagner, Liston, & Miller, 2011). The nurses will have to take medical care of the patient while the social worker tends to his social needs such as the welfare of his family. Therefore, it is imperative that the nursing and social work personnel have good communication skills. Communication enhances teamwork that will lead to the caregivers sharing insights and ideas with

The authors describe how expertise in communication is an important asset of palliative care teams. In one study the authors reviewed, it was found that almost all of pediatric palliative care team consults at a center in California, were for facilitating communication (Miller,

It is expected that children with cancer should receive high-quality palliative care at the end of life. But a study found that, it is not known whether EOLC of children with cancer meets this standard of care. In a Boston study, it was found that children experienced substantial suffering towards the EOL, and treatment was seldom successful. The study also found that fatigue was the most commonly reported symptom, and there were barely any attempts by physicians to treat this problem (Wolfe et al., 2000). The data

Achieving the goal as a successful nurse is not easy as it requires not only a broad knowledge but also clinical skills (Raya 2006). One of the crucial factors leading to that is learning to create therapeutic relationships between health care professionals and patients through professional communication. This is long-term training since nurses must know how to apply different communication methods to help their patients with kindness and sincerity (Varcarolis 2005). The purpose of this study is to assess knowledge of how diversified communication types are used and their efficiency in building a therapeutic relationship.

Many caregivers express feeling inadequate in their self-efficacy plus frustration regarding the physician’s and/or institution’s course of treatment, at the same time a sense of isolation as most report a reluctance to share these feelings in fear of criticism or professional doubt. More so, the emotional toll of dealing with the patient’s feelings regarding their prognosis, care, and death, this inflicts chronic stress, and for some

Provision of support to any individual in the life of the child is an important part of pediatric palliative care as it recognizes that many people are affected by the illness or death of the child. The team uses different approaches to offer support to the immediate and the extended family members. Some members are offered referrals to individual or family counseling while siblings receive pediatric therapies such as music, art and child life programs. Remembrance services are also offered (Martzo & Shermann, 2001). Parents are offered guidance and the appropriate resources as they struggle with how to communicate with their children concerning the illness. Apart from struggling with the right communication channel, parents have difficulties dealing with the complex medical systems that the child has to undergo. Through pediatric palliative care, the parents get extra help in dealing with the medical systems and the stress that is related with

Understanding that part of the success in recovering the patient lies in a good communication and it makes part of the success in recovering the patient. Starting the work with the patients, the first one that I consider the vital importance is in the form in which we establish a verbal and non-verbal communication. The first and most important thing I can do for a patient beginning the day is just to smile using a calm and welcoming voice. Then, as a patient care provider, it’s when I begin to develop a close nurse-patient relationship

“Improved communication is noted as one of the most important factors in enhancing end-of-life care in a pediatric setting” (Hsiao et al., 2007). These factors are beneficial to maintaining the best care for the child. The relationship between hospital staff, the child, and the child’s family is crucial. “Parents have emphasized the importance of receiving honest and complete information from staff, having ready access to staff, and having continuous, caring relationships with compassionate staff “(Hsiao et al., 2007). Along with the parents’ communication with staff, parents feel it is important to have the child communicate directly with the physician when appropriate. They feel “gaining the child’s perspective is critical if there is to be a cohesive relationship among the child, parent, and health care provider” (Hsiao et al., 2007). Also, children who are able and comfortable enough to communicate with physicians benefit

Thank you Christine for your thoughtful post. I was struck by your reference from Crawford, Omery and Seagopg (2010). I am appreciating the need for effective communication in healthcare now that I am a part of a family utilizing acute care and rehabilitation services. Our biggest frustration has been lack of communication among care providers, nevertheless the family members. Croford, Omery and Seagopg (2010) focused their attention on the physician – nurse communication which resulted in friction and dysfunctional interdisciplinary relationships. Laidsaar-Powell (2012) looked at physician- patient-companion communication as related to decision making. The meta-analysis identified conversation with physician-patient-companion were difficult and helpful. The companion or family member was useful for logistical support and relaying information. “Studies also reveal that companion involvement can lead to positive outcomes” (Laidsaar-Powell, 2012, p. 10). The authors concluded, more evaluation of strategies to improve communication skills training. The concept of the macrosystem depends on the quality of the network of Microsystems, seem to fit in your example (Nelson, et. al, 2002). Effective communication must occur at the micro system in order for the macro system to be effective.

Eventually, terminal illnesses would put burden on the patient’s health as well as their family members who actively involve in caring for the patient. Multiple factors have influenced the patient’s reluctance in seeking for hospice care. Mostly, hospice care is a very uncomfortable topic to converse within the patient’s family as it might affect how the patient perceives such discussion. Especially in the older population, “if adult children bring up the subject of end-of-life planning, their parent will think they want to push them aside or be done with them” (Eskenazi, 2015). Such thought is not only restricted to the older individuals since patients with terminal illnesses are likely to become more sensitive as they see themselves as a burden to their family. Thus, physicians’ recommendation and

Witt Sherman (1998) suggests that palliative care must be offered to family members of patients with terminal illnesses to address the physical, emotional, and social needs associated with being the caregiver of a person with a terminal illness, stating “the clinician needs to acknowledge the caregivers efforts and assess his or her relationship with the patient and other family members, while encouraging the expression of fears, concerns, loss, and grief. It is important to put the caregiver in touch with respite services before stress, emotional and physical exhaustion, and depression take their toll” (Witt Sherman, 1998). As an intern at a cancer institute, this writer assesses for the mood and needs of patients’ family members by initiating discussions about how they are coping with the patient’s illness. This writer attempts to empower caregivers by asserting the need for self-care at a time when they are devoting most of their time and energy to the family member they are caring for and providing them with the knowledge that the services offered by the Psychosocial Oncology department are available to them, as well as the patient.

Leukemia is the leading cancer in children. When a cancer patient undergoes Leukemia treatment, they are told the risks and dangers. A cancer patient understands the risks and what they must face in order to beat the cancer. The type of treatment and its dosage has the greatest impact on a patient’s health. I went through this treatment when I battled with cancer. I knew the risks and problems

The words pediatric and palliative care when put together are rather difficult to stomach. The image of a sprouting new life when juxtaposed with concerns for end-of-life care is almost ironically antithetical. It is easy to see why pediatric palliative care is an emerging subspecialty with much left to fully develop. Although highly uncomfortable for most to talk about, pediatric palliative care is a real and intricate necessity for many families with children facing a life-threatening illness. Leming and Dickinson state that in addition to being interdisciplinary, palliative care is unique in that it is both family-centered and patient-centered with the common goal of meeting the physical, psychosocial, social and spiritual needs of