In general most, although not all, patients expect honesty and openness about their health and care , Nurses are the front line of patient care and clear communication and honesty is the key to the trust built between nurses and those in our care ,To facilitate that trust we must be able to communicate effectively and clearly. Effective communication is fundamental to good nursing practise and to improved patient care and without it we will fail.
Communication as defined by the Oxford Dictionary;
The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.
Flin states, Communication is the transfer of information, ideas or feelings (Flin 2009, p.16).
These are simple and effective descriptions…
Philip Burnard, states That communication skills can be identified in four parts educational, therapeutic, organizational and personal.
Some basic principles of effective communication include listening, using simple clear concise language, preparation, non verbal communication, empathy and compassion.
Effective communication can be achieved by honesty,openness, reflection, education , utilising frameworks of practise , guidelines and policies and with the support and leadership of our colleagues .
No legacy is so rich as Honesty. ~ William…
Some experts have proven that in some cases disclosing too much information is harmful and dangerous to the patient, and that we should simply address immediate problems and concerns.
Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D. one of the foremost authorities in the field of death and dying was asked;
“Is there ever any justification for not being honest with someone who is dying, about the fact that they are dying?”
“Ross: You have to be honest, but you dont have to be totally honest. You have to answer their questions, but dont volunteer information for which they have not asked, because that means that they are not ready for it yet. So you have to be very careful how you word it. And never, ever take hope away from a dying patient. Without hope nobody can live. You are not God. You dont know what is in store for them, what else can help them, or how meaningful, maybe the last six months of a persons life are.”
Hancock K, et al. reported that doctor mostly believed that patients should be informed of the terminal nature of their illness, and that realistic and truthful disclosure is recommended over withholding of…