Personal And Professional Healthcare Communication

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Personal and Professional Health Care Communication Introduction Health care communication facilitates inter-dependence among health care members. It involves sharing ideas and thoughts with physicians, student nurses, nursing peers, patients, families and, other interdisciplinary health care members in a professional manner. Effective health care communication is important in care delivery because it enhances higher outcomes, patient safety, patient compliance to treatment, creates trust, utilization of healthcare, and satisfaction. Definition of Health Care communication Health care communication is the process in which an individual can collect and process adequate or basic health information needed to make the right health care decisions. Communication is the process of sharing information using a set of common rules (Northouse & Northouse, 1998. p.2). Relevance of effective personal health care communication with other health care professionals, clients, and patients. Health care communication in intrapersonal context refers to the inner thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and our self-talk about issues that influence our health directed behaviors (Northouse & Northouse, 1998. p.4). Personal communication is vital in health care communication, starting from the first encounter with the patient throughout the care and treatment phase or hospitalization. The conversation with patients and families tells much about the way they feel. As a health care provider, treating patients and families with empathy, listening, and respect enhances clinician-patient relationship. The health care provider must communicate with patients and their significant others about medical conditions, needed tests, explaining their medication actions, and possible side effects. The nurse must communicate effectively by using clear terms and avoiding medical jargons that could

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