Professional Communication Strategies and Technologies

Question: Discuss about the Professional Communicationfor Strategies and Technologies. Answer: Introduction Professional communication is defined as the different forms of speaking, listening, writing and giving responses which happen both in and beyond the workplace context. It may be either in person or electronically. Therefore, the professional communicators are expected to employ learning theory, strategies, and technologies to promote effective communication in their respective work settings. On the other hand, patient safety is the fundamental principle of health care that seeks to prevent any form of errors and adverse effects associated with medical practices which may be caused to patients. It involves actions persons and organizations to protect recipients from being harmed (Levetti, 2013). Patient safety encompasses physical, psychological, cultural and emotional security. This papers center of interest is to comprehensively discuss the significance of professional communication in ensuring patient safety. Importance of Professional Communication in Promoting Patient Safety The majority of health professionals presume that efficient communication only implies giving patients unambiguous and clear information in an appropriate manner. Although this notion is true, it is important to understand that communication entails listening and talking. The healthcare practitioners are less likely to make wrong conclusions when they listen to patients (Levett, 2013). A survey that was conducted on Australian patients and their families showed in 2006 regarding the benefits of effective communication revealed several outcomes. They include the reduction in stress and anxiety levels, an evident relationship between efficient communication and compliance with medication as well as programs on reliability, enhanced management of pain, improved mood and self-esteem management. Other benefits that were discovered are increased functional and psychological status, reduced length of hospital admission, improved symptom resolution, better coordination of care, reduced surgi cal deaths and post-operative shortcomings, reduction in costs, enhanced well-being and satisfaction of patients, error reduction and refined patient safety. Patient- Safe Communication The healthcare professional are always encouraged to use the patient-safe communication model that is a goal-oriented practice aimed at alleviating undesired events and assisting patients to obtain optimal end results. All aspects relating to patient care are pre-determined by how well the health care practitioners communicate amongst themselves as well as the patient they care (Levett, 2013). Therefore, clinical decisions grounded on misinterpreted or incomplete information are bound to inappropriate thus causing harm and distress to patients. For instance, it can lead to anger, hostility, and confusion, lack of trust, misunderstanding, and increased risk of error, poor compliance, and patient harm. Unsafe communication by health professionals is regarded as a breach of professional standards and may be informed of failure to monitor patient confidentiality and failure to respond well to questions among others. It is important to use an inter-professional collaborative approach (Lev itt,2013). It facilitates the structuring of care that is person-centered. It would help healthcare professionals to reinforce and accolade their services hence to desist from duplications and omissions in designing and coordinating care. One of its important aspects is patient-centered care that is based on the understanding that patients bring their skills, knowledge, and experiences about their condition and illness. It is crucial for the health practitioners to be open-minded, ethical, self-aware and have the strong sense of personal responsibility for action. Documenting Care It is regarded as a means of communication in the healthcare setting. It involves preparing an electronically generated or written legal record of interactions between health caregivers and patients at all levels of care which include identifying health problems, assessing, formulating, implementing and evaluating care (Hall, 2016). Management Information Systems (MIS) should be used to serve as legal records, facilitate patient care, assist in clinical research and enable decision making. It facilitates the delivery of the most efficient, valuable and cost-effective quality care to patients. Therefore, proper utilization of the most current forms, systems and documents are required to prevent any errors in care delivery. Provision of electronic health record (EHR) assists in tracking patient's progress and care thus allowing for access to more efficient care through the collection of high quality data meant for policy development and allocation of resources. For instance, electronic health records promote efficiencies in the healthcare system (Hall, 2 016). Inter-professional education (IPF) is perceived to be critical in health care as a means of enhancing patient-centered quality services and safety (Birk, 2017). There are several principles which promote better health care patient-oriented practice. They include accountability, responsibility, communication, coordination, mutual trust, cooperation and respect and contribute to patient safety (Van, 2009). There is a wealth of research information that upholds the benefits associated with efficient communication and healthcare outcomes for clinical teams and patients ("Impact of disclosure in healthcare" 2017). It is believed that the link a patient experiences with his or her clinician can primarily enhance their health arbitrated through participation in their care, patient self-management and adherence to treatment. Proper communication enables hospitalized patients to identify their diagnosis or the medication (s) names at discharge. Research conducted has revealed that ineffective team communication is the primary cause of medical errors ("Impact of disclosure in healthcare" 2017). The vulnerability of medical error rises when health care team members are in high-task situations, under stress and when communicating unclearly. High positive relations between communication skills of healthcare practitioners and patients ability to adhere to medical recommendations and adopt preventive health behavior is evident. Various studies manifest that the clinician's ability to describe, listen and empathize with can have a significant effect on functional and biological health outcomes, the experience of care and patient satisfaction ("Impact of communication in healthcare," 2017). Poor communication among clinical members is a common cause of clinical errors (Patel et at, 2014). Disclosure through commu nication decreases patient frustration and anger especially over perceived lack of empathy from caregivers and lack of information. Sharing crucial data promotes the safety of patients and reduces the cost, frequency and patient suffering related to adverse events (Robert et at, 2010). The majority of reported malpractice claims attribute to a breakdown in communication between a healthcare professional and patient. Conclusion Professional communication in the context of healthcare has had some setbacks. However, its benefits about patient safety cannot be underestimated. References Birk, T. (2017). Principles for Developing an Interprofessional Education Curriculum in a Healthcare Program. Journal of Healthcare Communications, 02(01). (2017). Retrieved 7 April 2017, from https://healthcarecomm.org/about-us/impact-of-communication-in-healthcare Hall, H. H. R. T. C. (2016). Fundamentals of Nursing and Midwifery. : Wolters Kluwer Health. Retrieved from: https://www.ebrary.com. In Patel, V. L., In Kaufman, D. R., In Cohen, T. (2014).Cognitive informatics in health and biomedicine: Case studies on critical care, complexity, and errors. Levett-Jones, T. (2013). Critical Conversations for Patient Safety. : Pearson Australia. Retrieved from: https://www.ebrary.com. Nemeth, C. P. (2008).Improving healthcare team communication: Building on lessons from aviation and aerospace. Aldershot, England: Ashgate. Robert, D. T, David, M. B, Judith, A.J, Thomas, H. G, Talking with Patients and Families about Medical Error:A Guide for Education and Practice Van, S. G. M. (2009).Communication skills for the health care professional: Concepts, practice, and evidence. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.