Effective Communication in Nursing: A Case Study Analysis

This report focuses on the critical role of communication in nursing practice, using a case study of a 73-year-old patient named George Pham to illustrate key concepts. It emphasizes the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication skills in building therapeutic nurse-patient relationships, understanding patient needs, and developing appropriate care plans. The report highlights the principles of patient-centered care, including shared information, respect for patient autonomy, and the integration of patient values and beliefs. Furthermore, it stresses the significance of effective documentation in healthcare, including accurate record-keeping to facilitate communication within the healthcare team and ensure patient safety. The report concludes by underscoring how effective communication and documentation directly contribute to improved patient health outcomes and the overall quality of healthcare delivery, referencing relevant literature to support its claims.

Running head: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 1
Professional Communication in Nursing
Name
Institutional Affiliation

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 2
Introduction
Effective communication is an indispensable component of nursing practice.
Communication helps nurses in the development of therapeutic nurse-patient relationships. A
case scenario of George Pham, 73-year-old male who visits a general practitioners office for
health assessment helps to demonstrate a real-life scenario of the importance of effective
communication in nursing practice. The patient has a stressful and active lifestyle and wants
support to change his lifestyles and eating habits to improve his health outcomes.
Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Skills
Verbal and non-verbal communication are essential when dealing with George. The
nurse needs to communicate effectively with George Pham so as to understand the health
problems and develop a suitable care plan that aligns with the available needs and resources.
The nurses should conduct their roles of understanding and helping their patients by
demonstrating courtesy, sincerity and kindness. They should also devote adequate time to
communicate with their patients while demonstrating high levels of confidentiality.
Communication in clinical setting also involves other persons surrounding the sick person
including the caregivers and families. Therefore, providing adequate attention and using
appropriate language in the communication should focus on ensuring that all the involved
parties understand the message a nurse is passing (Kourkouta, & Papathanasiou, 2014).
According to Levett-Jones (2020) patient safe communication focuses on the prevention of
adverse effects and supporting patients to achieve optimal health outcomes. Safe
communication with the patients helps nurses to obtain and share accurate information
interpretations. They also facilitate nurses to establish collaborative communication with the
patients and other healthcare professionals with the aim of improving quality and safety in
patient care.

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 3
Pham is an old man, and has a lot of needs to meet, both for him selves and his
families. At an old age, Pham needs to balance his activities and change his lifestyle to reduce
deterioration of his health outcomes. Therapeutic communication involves the patient
conveying his fears and concerns to the nurse to inform proper diagnosis. The patient then
conveys the concerns to a nurse who transmits the information in the plans for treatment,
diagnosis and rehabilitation (Kourkouta & Papathanasiou, 2014). Levett-Jones (2020)
explained that the success in all aspects of healthcare depends on how well the nurses are able
to communicate with the patients. Incomplete of misinterpreted information has the potential
of causing adverse effects on patients such as distress and harm. Unsafe communication in
healthcare settings also regarded to be a breach of the professional standards and may even
cause litigation. The nurse needs to interview Pham using verbal and non-verbal
communication skills and ensure that the patients provides all the necessary information. A
welcoming posture, kindness, respect and courtesy in the communication helps to instil
confidence and openness on George. Effective communication will also facilitate George to
provide accurate information.
Patient-Centred Care
The nurse needs to act in the best interest of George Pham, in order to achieve the
desired health outcomes. Patient-centred relationships are characterised by trust, concern, and
growth. Person-centred care is distinguished from other forms of relationships and care by
various aspects. The person-centred care is initiated for a specific purpose and with a specific
person, in this case, George Pham. Person-centred care between George and the nurse entails
sharing information equally between participants, including that patient and the nurse. The
patients, share adequate information regarding their personal health problems with the nurse.
On the other hand, the nurse provides the patient with adequate information regarding the
professional role such as treatment and care procedures and plans. Additionally, patient-

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 4
centred care focuses on the needs of the patient rather than the healthcare provider.
Information sharing promoted patient autonomy by supporting the patient to make adequate
decisions (Hill, Hall, & Glew, 2017). The nurse should also have the knowledge and skills
that align with the beliefs and values of the patient and family. To enhance patient-centred
care, George Pham should inform the nurse about his life style, work, economic background,
roles and responsibilities. The nurse should educate George on the health issues associated
with his health concerns and they can work together to develop an appropriate care plan.
Professionalism is vital in the success of patient-centred relationships. Professional
relationships are guided by specific guidelines that nurses and patients must understand. Any
actions that demonstrate crossing of the professional boundaries can attract a disciplinary
action. Patients and nurses can communicate casually in the process of care delivery.
Partnerships are also important in patient-centred care, and should uphold the rights of the
patients to autonomy and incorporating the patients fully in the relationship (Hill, Hall, &
Glew, 2017). Therefore, the relationship between George and Pham should be characterised
by high levels of professionalism and partnerships to ensure goals achievement.
Effective Documentation
Communication in healthcare settings is important for facilitating effective
documentation. Clear, accessible and accurate documentation is essential in nursing practice
as it facilitates quality, safe and evidence-based nursing. The main reason why nurses
document their work is to effectively communicate with the healthcare team and provide
adequate information for healthcare stakeholders such as other healthcare professionals, and
authorities that are responsible for accreditation, legal, regulatory, quality, legislative and
research issues. The incorporation of technology in the documentation of health issues also
facilitates accurate and safe communication with healthcare providers to facilitate
assessments, real-time solutions to clinical problems, communication and education with

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 5
family, patients and caregivers, patient feedback and care plans (American Nurses
Association 2010). It is important for the nurse to document all the information provided by
George Phan, the diagnosis, treatment and healthcare plan. Further, the nurse should
communicate with George after leaving the hospital and document the follow-up outcomes to
monitor and evaluate the care plan.
Conclusion
The discussion and examples from the case scenario demonstrate the important role
that communication plays in nursing settings. Effective communication between the nurse
and George Pham can significantly contribute to the improvement of patient health. Effective
communication will ensure that the nurse provides patient-centred care and accurately
document health information related to George’s case. Communication and documentation
informs future practice and improves safety and quality of healthcare provision.

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN NURSING 6
References
American Nurses Association (2010). ANA’s Principles for Nursing Documentation
Guidance for Registered Nurses. Retrieved from
http://www.nursingworld.org/~4af4f2/globalassets/docs/ana/ethics/principles-of-
nursing-documentation.pdf
Hill, R., Hall, H., & Glew, P. (Eds.). (2017). Fundamentals of Nursing and Midwifery: A
person-centred approach to care (3rd Australian and New Zealand ed.). Lippincot
Willians & Wilkins Pty Ltd.
Kourkouta, L., & Papathanasiou, I. V. (2014). Communication in nursing practice. Materia
socio-medica, 26(1), 65–67. doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.65-67
Levett-Jones, T. (2020). The relationship between communication and patient safety. In T-
Levett-Jones (Ed.), Critical conversations for patient safety: An essential guide for
healthcare students (2nd ed., pp. 2-13). Pearson Australia