My interaction with the healthcare provider was positive in that she took her time to communicate, listened intently, and was able to understand my individuality. The caregiver also responded compassionately which went a long way towards not just my satisfaction, but also outcomes. There is an instance in which I become very emotional, and the healthcare provider acknowledged my emotions by asking open-ended questions about how she saw my situation, and let me understand she is my partner in health.
Therapeutic communication refers to the face-to-face process of interacting that strictly focuses on improving the physical and emotional well-being of patients (Williams & Irurita, 2004; Popa-Velea & Purcărea, 2014). A nurse uses curative communication set of skills to give information, correct misinformation, promote understanding of patients’ responses to health challenges. The purpose of healing communication is to provide a safe place for patients to have a clear understanding of their illness. Therefore, the benefits of therapeutic communication in the nursing practice are numerous (Hunt, 2013). Nurses use therapeutic communication when interacting with patients (Hunt, 2013). Caring, the essence of the caregiver-patient relationship should be forefront in influencing communication and action.
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The nurse uses different techniques to help the patient express their views and feelings in a way that encourages respect and acceptance. As a result, this improves the patient’s comfort levels, and establishes a sense of safety, and boosts their trust in the healthcare provider (Popa-Velea & Purcărea, 2014). Some of the techniques used in therapeutic communication include active listening, offering help, seeking clarification, making observations, among others. In my interaction with the healthcare provider, the caregiver offered her time. This demonstrates that she values me as a patient and that she was willing to provide me with the time and attention. Another technique the nurse used is nonverbal and verbal cues such as nodding and saying “I see.” This encouraged me to continue talking.
Nontherapeutic communication is associated with various words, phrases, and tone that make a patient uncomfortable (Williams & Irurita, 2004). In other words, nontherapeutic communication can result in unintentional miscommunication between the healthcare provider and the patient (Williams & Irurita, 2004). By contrast, therapeutic communication benefits both the caregivers and patients. It enables the patients to express is significant to them, and allows the healthcare practitioner to advocate for patient-focused and holistic care (Popa-Velea & Purcărea, 2014). In one sense, nontherapeutic communication does the opposite. There is an instance where the nurse started to reassure me there is no reason for anxiety or other feelings of discomfort. As such, this an excellent example of nontherapeutic communication. Attempts to cast aside the patient’s anxiety by suggesting there is not an adequate reason for worry somehow devalues the patient’s feelings.
One instance of negative interaction I encountered is when the nurse failed to paraphrase the information I had given her. For this reason, it shows that the nurse had not listened to what I had said. For the most part, paraphrasing gives the chance to the patients to clarify the misunderstanding and if they want to include further information as well.
If I were a healthcare provider in this scenario, I would have sat with a patient and held his hand. Touch is associated with understanding and caring. I would also have inquired from the client whether he would like to speak about her illness. I would then have interpreted to the patient that it is of her best interest for me to have an idea of what some of her problems and concerns were in order to serve her better. This form of communication encourages the client and allows the patient to explain his concerns without the healthcare imposing her idea. As a healthcare practitioner, I must think critically to solve the problem and find the most effective way to enhance his health.
Summary
Effective communication techniques and therapeutic interpersonal development assist the healthcare provider in encouraging to express my feelings and concerns. She also made me comfortable in a clinical setting. The healthcare provider listened more keenly, and this enabled her to gain my faith. Therefore, the outcome for me was positive and worthwhile.
References
Hunt, S. (2013). Old adulthood. In J. Crisp, C. Douglas & G. Rebeiro (Eds.), Potter and Perry's Fundamentals of nursing [4th ed.]. Elsevier, Sydney, NSW.
Popa-Velea, O., & Purcărea, V.L. (2014). Issues of therapeutic communication relevant for improving quality of care. Journal of Medicine and Life, 7(4), 39-45.
Williams, A. M., & Irurita, V. F. (2004). Therapeutic and non-therapeutic interpersonal interactions: the patient’s perspective. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 13(7), 806–815.
