Therapeutic communication is a type of professional communication that prioritizes the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of patients. It is a process in which the healthcare professional consciously uses specific techniques to help patients better understand their condition or situation, while also encouraging patients to freely express their ideas and feelings in a relationship of mutual respect and acceptance. The goal of therapeutic communication is to establish trust with patients, provide them with support and information, and maintain a level of professional distance and objectivity.
Some key techniques used in therapeutic communication include:
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Active Listening: This involves paying close attention to what the patient is saying, both verbally and non-verbally, and providing feedback to show that you understand what they are saying.
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Using Silence: At times, it can be useful to not speak at all. Deliberate silence can give both nurses and patients an opportunity to think through and process what comes next in the conversation. It may give patients the time and space they need to broach a new topic.
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Accepting: Therapeutic communication is often most effective when patients direct the flow of conversation and decide what to talk about. To that end, giving patients a broad opening such as “What’s on your mind today?” or “How can I help you?” can be helpful.
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Providing Leads to the Patient: This technique reflects and mirrors what the nurse believes the clients feelings to be underneath the words. It mirrors, or reflects, the patients feelings, not words, back to the client so that the clients feelings can be further explored and expressed by the patient.
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Open-Ended Questions: These are questions that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" response. They encourage patients to share more information and can help nurses better understand their patients needs and concerns.
Therapeutic communication is an essential component of nursing care, and all nurses should strive to be proficient in therapeutically engaging with their patients. It is a valuable skill that can help nurses provide better patient care and improve patient outcomes.
