Journal Entry: Professional Communication in Healthcare Setting

This journal entry explores key aspects of professional communication within a healthcare context. The first journal entry focuses on the use of reflective responses in crisis situations, emphasizing the importance of active listening, understanding, and empathy in building trust and resolving conflicts. The second journal entry addresses conveying respect to remove communication barriers among health professionals, highlighting the significance of cultural sensitivity, attentiveness, and maintaining professional boundaries to foster effective collaboration. The author provides practical strategies for showing respect, such as avoiding distractions, acknowledging cultural differences, and valuing others' time and personal space. References from academic sources support the discussion, providing a framework for understanding and improving communication skills in healthcare environments. This is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their professional communication skills in a healthcare setting and is available on Desklib, along with other educational resources.

Running head: JOURNAL ENTRY: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Journal Entry: Professional Communication
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Journal entry 1
Using reflective responses in a crisis situation
Reflections are helpful tool both in learning and communication (Hampe, 2013).
Reflection helps in recalling our own experiences and learn from them. In critical situations,
reflective response help us instill trust and confidence in the speaker. Successful reflective
response is largely dependent on active listening. It is evident that in order to respond
properly, one must listen to what the problem is with clarity. They must analyze the situation
that has been presented to them. After that, one is able to relate the scenario with their own
experience and understanding to find out solutions that will appeal to the speaker. Reflective
responses helps in cooling down any heated situation, contain any crisis and resolve conflict
when handled properly.
While working in a nursing environment, one needs to listen to many things. A patient
might come with grievances, there might be conflict among the nurses, or a problem situation
where decisions needs to be taken. In these situations active listening helps in gathering all
the information that are necessary for solving the situation. Listening effectively is one of the
most difficult skills to attain (Arnold & Boggs, 2019). It requires patience and concentration
and a desire to help. Asking open ended question and not being judgmental is necessary in
these situations. The questions that one asks clarifies the background and context of the
problem. In critical situations, as frequently as it occurs in nursing situations, one needs to
practice reflective response in order to ensure that the situations can be solved quickly and
effectively.
Reflective response is based on the concept of open ended dialogue. It enables one to
think about the kind of behavior or responses they themselves would have liked in the
situation and use the same to engage people in detailed discussion. Rather than asking simple

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yes or no questions, reflective response allows asking questions that would kindle the
memory of the speaker and think back to the entirety of their experience. In reflective
response one needs to follow some steps in order to ensure that their understanding matches
the speaker’s understanding. Restating what the speaker has said or rechecking the facts are
helpful here. One should also ensure that their responses do not become leading conversation.
It is also necessary to respond to feelings and emotions of the speaker in order to invoke
reflection from them.

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Journal entry 2
Conveying respect to remove barriers to communicate with other health professionals
Respect is an integral part of any successful communication. While communicating
with people, several barriers in the form of cultural linguistic or opinion might appear. In case
of health professionals, many more may come as there are ethical and moral issues that
people might disagree with as well. Showing respect to individual thoughts and opinions lead
to easy flow of communication. Showing respect to other people involved in the
communication creates an easy flow of communication. There are many steps that can be
taken to show respect to fellow health professionals. It is necessary to ensure that there are no
distractions while talking to a fellow professional. Distractions like being engaged in a cell
phone or digital organizers might come off as dismissive and disrespectful. It is necessary to
be engaged fully into the conversation and give them the complete attention (Hampe, 2013).
People come from different cultural and ethnic background in healthcare profession
and showing respect to all cultures, their beliefs and rituals are necessary part of showing
respect. Positioning oneself as the equal rather than showing superiority invokes respect from
others as well. When we respect the culture and beliefs of others, they in turn, become more
flexible in their understanding (Arnold & Boggs, 2019). Making underhanded comments
about culture or showing disrespect makes the other person angry and unwilling to establish
any further connection. Asking questions about their cultures and beliefs are more than
welcomed in most cases while ensuring that those questions are not offending in any way.
There are other methods to show respect to health professionals. Maintaining time for
any meeting or work schedule shows respect for their time as well. It also instills a good
organizational culture. Moreover, it also gives evidence of good habit and culture which other
people respect in return. It is also necessary to understand the boundaries others might have.

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For example, there could be someone who does not feel comfortable in sharing their personal
experience. In this case, it might be alright to try to engage them into conversation once or
twice. After that, one should respect their desire for privacy.

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References
Arnold, E. C., & Boggs, K. U. (2019). Interpersonal Relationships E-Book: Professional
Communication Skills for Nurses. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Hampe, N. (2013). Reflective practice and writing: a guide to getting started. ALIA PD
Scheme Reflective Learning.