How does a persons difference in age culture race gender and living situation impact your comfort as a nurse in communicating with them?
Discussion Question:
- How does a persons difference in age culture race gender and living situation impact your comfort as a nurse in communicating with them?
- While growing up, how were OAs (older adults) treated in your family, culture, community and in society (identify the year range)?
Your initial posting should be at least 400 words in length and utilize at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Please reply to at least two classmates. Replies to classmates should be at least 200 words in length.
Expert Answer and Explanation
Caring for Older Adults
Nurse Communication
The age of a person, race, culture, and the living condition has a direct impact on the comfort of the nurse to initiate and maintain effective communication. Nurses interact with different individuals of different ages on a daily basis, which makes age is a key factor in medical practice and caregiving. Interacting with young children or peers can be easier as a nurse can easily understand their needs as opposed to conversing with older adults. Culture and race aspects of the language barrier and the need to understand the patient preference before administration of care (Marcinowicz, & Taranta, 2020).
A female nurse can easily communicate with a female patient as a male nurse can communicate with a male patient regarding sensitive topics and how to mitigate the treatment. Direct proportionality can lead to discomfort when a nurse of the opposite gender has to interact and communicate with a patient who has issues that specifically relate to their gender. Living conditions have minimal impact on nursing communication but can affect other aspects such as patient’s accessibility.
Older Adults (OAs) in the Community
Growing up, OAs were treated differently from the rest of the individuals in the community and even within the family setting. OAs between the age of 65 and above were treated with respect and offered first priority due to fragility and consequences that come with old age. In the community, the young and energetic individuals were expected to take care of the elderly and help them with the daily operations that require energy and high strenuous physical exercise (van Groenou, & De Boer, 2016).
The elderly population is also at high risk for medical illness due to the weakened immune system and nature of their body. The society also has a role to play in caring for the OAs by having nursing homes where the elderly could be given special care and their medical needs be met.
References
Marcinowicz, L., & Taranta, E. (2020). Perspectives of older patients on the qualities which define a “good family nurse”: A qualitative study. Nursing Open, 7(3), 814-821.
van Groenou, M. I. B., & De Boer, A. (2016). Providing informal care in a changing society. European Journal of Ageing, 13(3), 271-279.
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FAQs
Examples of poor communication between nurse and patient
Poor communication between a nurse and a patient can have negative consequences for both parties and can lead to misunderstandings, decreased trust, and reduced satisfaction with care. Some common examples of poor communication between a nurse and a patient include:
- Lack of active listening: If a nurse is not actively listening to the patient, they may miss important information and be unable to provide appropriate care.
- Using medical jargon: Nurses may use medical jargon that the patient does not understand, leading to confusion and frustration.
- Interrupting the patient: Interrupting the patient can make them feel disrespected and can prevent the nurse from gathering important information.
- Failing to explain procedures or treatments: If a nurse fails to explain procedures or treatments, the patient may be scared, confused, or unsure of what to expect.
- Not addressing the patient’s concerns: If a nurse does not address the patient’s concerns or questions, they may feel ignored or dismissed.
- Failing to provide adequate time for the patient: If a nurse does not provide adequate time for the patient, they may feel rushed or like their needs are not being met.
- Lack of empathy or compassion: If a nurse does not show empathy or compassion, the patient may feel unsupported and may be less likely to trust the nurse and comply with care plans.
These examples highlight the importance of effective communication between nurses and patients. When communication is poor, patients may be less likely to participate in their care, may have a negative experience, and may be less likely to adhere to treatment plans. Effective communication is essential for building trust and promoting positive outcomes for both the nurse and the patient.
What are communication barriers in healthcare
Communication barriers in healthcare can prevent effective communication between healthcare providers and patients, leading to misunderstandings, decreased trust, and reduced satisfaction with care. Some common communication barriers in healthcare include:
- Language barriers: Patients who do not speak the same language as their healthcare provider may struggle to communicate effectively, leading to misunderstandings and confusion.
- Literacy barriers: Patients who have low levels of literacy may struggle to understand medical information, including instructions for treatments or medications.
- Cognitive barriers: Patients with cognitive impairments, such as dementia or other cognitive disorders, may struggle to understand information or communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
- Technological barriers: The use of technology, such as electronic health records, can create barriers to effective communication if patients or healthcare providers are not familiar with the technology.
- Cultural barriers: Cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of information, and can prevent effective communication between healthcare providers and patients.
- Emotional barriers: Patients who are in distress, anxious, or frightened may struggle to communicate effectively, leading to misunderstandings and decreased satisfaction with care.
- Physical barriers: Patients who have physical disabilities or limited mobility may struggle to communicate effectively, leading to misunderstandings and decreased satisfaction with care.
- Time constraints: Healthcare providers who are short on time may struggle to communicate effectively with patients, leading to misunderstandings and decreased satisfaction with care.
These communication barriers can have a significant impact on the quality of care received by patients, and can lead to negative outcomes, including decreased satisfaction with care, decreased trust in healthcare providers, and a greater risk of medical errors. To overcome these barriers, healthcare providers must be aware of them and take steps to address them, such as providing interpretation services, using plain language when communicating with patients, and investing in technology and training to support effective communication.
Effects of communication barriers in healthcare
The effects of communication barriers in healthcare can be significant and can impact both patients and healthcare providers. Some of the effects include:
- Medical errors: Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and medical errors, such as incorrect diagnoses, incorrect treatments, or medication errors.
- Decreased satisfaction with care: Patients who struggle to communicate effectively with their healthcare providers may be less satisfied with the care they receive, leading to reduced trust and decreased adherence to treatment plans.
- Increased stress and anxiety: Communication barriers can increase stress and anxiety for patients, especially when they are unable to understand information about their health or treatment.
- Decreased patient involvement: When patients struggle to communicate with healthcare providers, they may be less likely to participate in their care, including decisions about treatments and medications.
- Inadequate follow-up care: Poor communication can result in inadequate follow-up care, leading to a greater risk of complications and readmissions.
- Decreased trust in healthcare providers: When communication is poor, patients may be less likely to trust their healthcare providers, leading to decreased satisfaction with care and a greater risk of medical errors.
- Increased healthcare costs: Communication barriers can result in medical errors, increased readmissions, and decreased satisfaction with care, all of which can contribute to increased healthcare costs.
It is important to recognize the effects of communication barriers in healthcare and to take steps to address them. By investing in training, technology, and other resources to support effective communication, healthcare providers can improve the quality of care received by patients, reduce medical errors, and increase satisfaction with care.
How to overcome communication barriers in healthcare
Overcoming communication barriers in healthcare is important for ensuring that patients receive high-quality care and that healthcare providers can effectively communicate with patients to achieve better health outcomes. Here are some strategies that can be used to overcome communication barriers in healthcare:
- Provide interpretation services: Patients who do not speak the same language as their healthcare provider may struggle to communicate effectively. Providing interpretation services, such as on-site interpreters or phone-based interpretation services, can help to overcome language barriers.
- Use plain language: Healthcare providers can use plain language when communicating with patients to ensure that information is easily understood. This can include using simple words and avoiding medical jargon.
- Invest in technology: Technology, such as electronic health records and patient portals, can support effective communication by providing patients with easy access to their medical information and enabling healthcare providers to share information more easily.
- Provide patient education: Providing patients with educational materials and opportunities to learn about their health and treatments can help to overcome literacy and cognitive barriers.
- Foster a culture of respect: Healthcare providers who foster a culture of respect and who are sensitive to the cultural differences of patients can help to overcome cultural barriers to communication.
- Provide emotional support: Patients who are in distress or anxious may struggle to communicate effectively. Providing emotional support and reassurance can help to overcome emotional barriers.
- Offer alternative communication methods: Patients who have physical disabilities or limited mobility may struggle to communicate effectively. Offering alternative communication methods, such as written materials or video conferencing, can help to overcome physical barriers.
- Provide training: Providing training to healthcare providers on effective communication strategies and cultural sensitivity can help to overcome communication barriers.
By implementing these strategies, healthcare providers can work to overcome communication barriers and improve the quality of care received by patients. Effective communication is essential for building trust, ensuring that patients are fully informed about their health and treatments, and reducing the risk of medical errors.
