There are various different ways in which people can feel valued and supported, the main way is to treat them as there own individual person don’t categorize them. When you introduce yourself to them ask them what they prefer to be called, remember that and call them what they want to be called, not what you assume they want to be called. Smile at them make it genuine, if they do something well praise them, if you know there feeling upset about the way that they look complement them, tell them that they look really well today; it will make their day. Give them a voice; don’t tell them that their wearing the green stripy pyjamas they may hate them, ask them what pyjamas they want to wear; give them a choice. It’s a personal thing, it may not seem like much to you but it could mean a lot to them. By doing this you will also be giving them rights you will make them feel more confident, and if they don’t agree with something they will have the confidence to tell you and ask you to change it with out you getting upset.
Listen and be interested. When elderly people come into hospital occasionally they are lonely because they are taken away from their home and the people that they love and put in an alien environment. As a nurse you have to have empathy for the person put yourself in there shoes. If they bring in family photos no matter how busy or bored you are let them know you care, ask them questions about the people in the pictures nod when needed, listen to what they are saying and look interested. This applies to any age, an adult may have photos or story’s a child might have an imaginary friend or a teddy bear; the same rule applies.
There are various different factors in communication that make us feel valued. It is important that each individual feels as though they are equal to others, by achieving this you will also help them to understand that they are important and they can speak freely and they are entitled to their own choice and opinions. They feel that they can trust people, and that they have rights and their own voice so to be heard and are able to make their own choices. Being valued will also promote the sense of being respected and listened to. This encourages good positive behaviour and attitude within the use of communication, especially within hospitals between the staff and their patients.
As well as valuing people we need to let them know that we also support them. Support “to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage etc) under trial off affliction” (Dictionary.com 2007). People need support when things are unfamiliar, out of control, frightening and new. For example you are taken away from home the place you live and your family and friends, you are then placed in an alien environment away from everything that you know. To make the patient feel calm and at home you need to show them that you are there and that you value you them as a person and care for them.
We support people using communication in a range of different ways. What’s worse than being in an alien environment is being in an environment where people used very complicated (jargon) words which you don’t understand which is almost like a new language. To support the patient treat them how they should be treated, with respect talk to them in a manor they understand. It is important that both the patient and the nurse receive the proper information, or else the nurse could think you have cancer and you might think you have brain damage. It is the initiators responsibility that the receiver absorbs the specific information needed.
As well as taking into consideration whether they can understand you or not, you also need to take into consideration that they are an individual. What sex are they, how old are they, do they have any specific religions do they have cultural differences to you. You need to adapt and overcome situations like these, for example don’t talk to an adult as though they were a child and visa versa. If you are dealing with a patient that speaks little English it’s not going to help if you speak really fast in a unclear monotone voice using slang. If they don’t understand English how are they going to understand slang?
Hospital staff members need to maintain a professional relationship with patients and visitors so that they feel appreciative about their stay and confident amongst the hospital staff. This will ensure their support by knowing that they are under good professional care and hat they are wanted.
It is important to maintain confidentiality.
∙ Information must not be given to anyone who doesn’t need to and who is not authorised to know.
∙ Information that is on the computer must be protected a password.
∙ Written communication/ documents must be locked away safel
If any information is to be passed on it must be in a secure area, the identity of the precipitant established and no gossiping. Maintaining confidentiality is a very important, this is because it prevents patients from feeling uncomfortable and humiliated. Without confidentiality the patients will feel like they are being invaded of privacy and this can cause very negative behaviours amongst everyone within the hospital.
To promote equality and diversity you need to understand that everyone’s their own individual person. The sooner you learn this, the better you will be at it; to promote equality and diversity you need to be able to cater for a variety of languages and dialects. This might be by employing a language translator of by drawing the information you want to get across. Either or, you need to get rid of the barrier between you and the patient, you may not understand what they are saying but you still need to give them the same amount of care as everyone else. It is also important to be aware of and avoid stereotypes. Just because they might like Marylyn Manson and you don’t, or because they may dress differently to you doesn’t mean that they deserve to be treated and differently to the others. Treating some one who may be radically different equally can promote positive communication; they will have respect for you and will have more confidence in themselves and in you.
Promoting individual rights and beliefs is a very important care value. Firstly it is important to respect them; Taking medicines for some people is strictly against their religion Jehovah’s witnesses for example. Purely for the fact that they believe in being pure and untouched a mother would rather her child to die as a result of contaminated blood (for example), then let her child withstand a simple blood transfusion. Simple painless 100% effective however there is nothing you can do about it but respect their wishes.
Give them a choice and discuss and respect it, instead of telling them what to do. This is important because some patients that come to stay in the hospital have a different view of things they may agree to have an injection but disagree to taking a pill its their body so its their overall choice, the hospital staff members should compromise and respect that person beliefs and allow that patient to decide for themselves and give them a choice of what is to be done or to not be done.
If a patient has a complaint it’s their view and opinion it would be disrespectful for you to impose on it. Take action and ensure the comfort and wellbeing of the patients is being provided during their stay; this will help prevent any negative communication and behaviour. Hospital staff also should not force or compel the patient to do something that they do not wish or believe it right, therefore giving the patient control of their body and their rights and opinion.
On the whole communication can have a major effect on not only health care but various different environments such as schools, residential homes and team building activities. Communication is vital for the wellbeing of these setting; it’s hard to reverse a negative opinion once you have it, to avoid this “think before you speak”.
