Analysis of Nurse-Client Relationships and Communication Techniques

This report delves into the critical aspects of nurse-client communication, emphasizing the significance of both therapeutic and interpersonal communication processes in healthcare settings. It defines therapeutic communication as a face-to-face interaction that focuses on the patient's physical and mental well-being, highlighting its objectives in fostering better interpersonal relationships and enabling patients to express their thoughts and feelings openly. The report differentiates between verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, providing examples of each. It also explores interpersonal communication, its objectives, importance, and key components, including skills like teamwork, attitude, and professionalism. Techniques such as face-to-face communication, active listening, and polite speaking are discussed as essential elements for effective problem-solving and patient care. The report underscores the crucial role of communication in healthcare, emphasizing the need for high communication skills among nurses to improve patient outcomes and reduce conflicts. This assignment is available on Desklib, a platform offering a range of AI-based study tools and resources, including past papers and solved assignments, to assist students in their academic endeavors.

Nurse-client
Relationship
-different
communication
processes

Therapeutic communication
Nurse patient relationship is the foundation on which the health
outcome of a patient depends.
Therapeutic communication is basically defined as the process of face-
to-face interaction that focuses on physical as well as the mental
health wellbeing of a patient (Brownie, Scott & Rossiter, 2016).
With the help of this communication process, the patients feel cared
by the nurses (Ghiyasvandian, Abdolrahimi, Zakerimoghadam &
Ebadi, 2018).

Objectives
The primary objective of therapeutic communication is to formulate a
better interpersonal therapeutic relationship.
It also allows the patient to openly express their thoughts.
At the same time, it provides opportunity to clarify any conflict and
frustration of the patient (Brownie, Scott & Rossiter, 2016).
Hence, this communication process always improves the relationship
between nurse and patients which results in better health outcome.

Type: verbal
Therapeutic communication can be verbal as well as non verbal.
In verbal therapeutic communication process, information is generally
conveyed through language or words.
Verbally, a detailed communication is possible and patients can share their
experience with their words and emotion (Ghiyasvandian, Abdolrahimi,
Zakerimoghadam & Ebadi, 2018).
Hence, verbal communication is considered as more accurate therapeutic
communication.

Type: Non-verbal
In non-verbal communication process, information is conveyed through body
language and behavior.
In this way, vocal cues such as noise, sounds are used.
Some action cues are also used such as expression, gestures, posture,
mannerism and others.
Sometimes nodding of head, eye contact is also used to transfer information in
non-verbal therapeutic communication process (Brownie, Scott & Rossiter,
2016).

Techniques
Observing is a technique of therapeutic communication which is made by the
nurses by wringing of hands, speaking in a very low tone and others.
Listening is also an important technique of therapeutic communication where
a nurse responds by nodding head, and active listening with expression
(Brownie, Scott & Rossiter, 2016).
Restating the words of patient for more clarification is another technique of
therapeutic communication (Ghiyasvandian, Abdolrahimi, Zakerimoghadam &
Ebadi, 2018).

Interpersonal communication
Interpersonal communication is basically sharing of information
between two or more persons verbally or non-verbally (Santos et al.,
2019).
It is an useful communication process in healthcare sector to
establish a trustful relationship between the patients and the nurses.
Interpersonal communication can be also be of two types that include
verbal as well as non-verbal.

Objectives
Interpersonal communication develops the sense of comfort as well as
security among the nurses and the patients.
Facilitating communication, it also fosters trust and cooperation between
nurse and patient.
Even, researchers indicated that interpersonal communication always
develop and maintain positive feelings along with an improved
socialization process within the organization (Chichirez & Purcărea,
2018).

Importance
Interpersonal communication is highly significant for any healthcare
organization.
It helps in improving the nurse-client relationship.
This process of communication allows people to discuss problems with each
other which is necessary in problem solving (Chichirez & Purcărea, 2018).
The open and clear communication process always helps in reducing
miscommunication and conflicts within the organization (Santos et al., 2019).

Skills and elements of interpersonal
communication
Six key components of interpersonal communication are there and these
are, the communicator, the message, noise, feedback, context, and
channel.
Teamwork, attitude, professionalism, flexibility, integrity and other soft
skills are important to develop interpersonal communication process
between the nurses and patients that are beneficial for the overall
productivity and the health outcome of the patients (Chichirez &
Purcărea, 2018).

Techniques
Different interpersonal communication technique include face-to-face
communication using language, and communicating through expression,
gesture and attitudes (Santos et al., 2019).
Interpersonal communication technique include polite speaking and active
listening to effectively solve any problem and provide facility according to that.
In healthcare, communication plays more important role than therapeutic
techniques and hence, high communication skill is essential for the nurses
(Chichirez & Purcărea, 2018).

Works cited
Brownie, S., Scott, R., & Rossiter, R. (2016). Therapeutic communication and relationships in
chronic and complex care. Nursing Standard, 31(6), 54.
Chichirez, C. M., & Purcărea, V. L. (2018). Interpersonal communication in healthcare. Journal of
medicine and life, 11(2), 119.
Ghiyasvandian, S., Abdolrahimi, M., Zakerimoghadam, M., & Ebadi, A. (2018). Therapeutic
Communication of Iranian Nursing Students: A Qualitative Study. Pertanika Journal of Social
Sciences & Humanities, 26(3).
Santos, J. L. G. D., Copelli, F. H. D. S., Balsanelli, A. P., Sarat, C. N. F., Menegaz, J. D. C., Trotte, L.
A. C., ... & Soder, R. M. (2019). Interpersonal communication competence among nursing
students. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem, 27.