Caring and Communication (1/29/2024 & 1/31/2024)

What is caring?

function of the whole person in which concern for the growth and well-being of another is expressed in an integrated application of mind, body, and spirit that seeks to maximize positive outcomes

List some expressions of caring

• feelings of compassion and concern

• philosophy of commitment

• an ethical approach to problems

• altruistic acts

• conscious attention to the needs and wishes of others

• protection of the well-being of others

• nurturing of growth

• empathy and advocacy

Caring is rooted in ___ and ___ values

individual and institutional

What is existential care?

an awareness of common bonds of humanity and common expressions, fates, and feelings (may occur as a product of rapport between imaging professional and patient)

What is empathy?

ability to recognize and share the emotions and state of mind of another (understanding the meaning and significance of behavior)

Is empathy the same as sympathizing/feeling sorry for the patient?

NO

Empathy is both a ___ and ___ response

objective and constructive

Communication is a ___ interaction

symbolic

Is human communication static? Explain

NO; involves human feelings and attitudes, as well as the delivery of information

What are the 5 key elements of communication in imaging?

1. speaker or sender

2. spoken and body language

3. environment

4. listening

5. feedback for the receiver

What are some obstacles to communication?

1. noise, temperature, or other distractions in the room

2. distance and inability to see or hear the patient

3. relationship between the patient and imaging professional

Active listening requires what 4 things?

1. watching the patient’s body language

2. observing the patient’s physical presentation

3. asking open-ended questions

4. waiting for responses and feedback from the patient

What are the 6 steps to improve communication with patients?

1. slow down (speak slowly and spend time with patient)

2. use plain, nonmedical language

3. show or draw pictures if necessary

4. limit the amount of info provided and repeat it

5. use the teach back technique (confirm the patient’s understanding)

6. create a shame-free environment

Imaging professionals are not capable of providing perfect care, but our goal is to ___

come as close as possible to achieving it

What are some obstacles to caring?

• scarcity of time

• technical priorities

• impact of personal life

• lack of training in caring for critical/terminal patients

• lack of communication

• societal pressures

• lack of faith in self

What is professional care?

application of the knowledge of a professional discipline, including its science, theory, practice, and art

Professional care is complimentary to ___

human caring

Imaging professionals must possess human caring before they are able to provide ___

professional caring

___ brings together all the resources of the imaging professional

caring

Caring involves an appreciation of ___

the universal patterns of human experience

In the imaging sciences we are exposed to the universality of ___

pain, loneliness, suffering, fear, and looming death

Healthcare providers must strengthen and integrate their ___, ___, and ___ capacities

mental; physical; spiritual

___ and ___ are the cornerstone of the art of medicine

caring and communication

___ is a key element in the prevention of patient dissatisfaction and malpractice claims

2-way communication

2-way communication is a key element in the prevention of ___ and ___

patient dissatisfaction and malpractice claims

What is general literacy?

ability to read, write, and understand written material

What is health literacy?

ability to read, understand, and act on health care information to make effective health care decisions and follow instructions for treatment

List 4 factors that help determine health literacy

• person’s amount of experience with the healthcare system

• complexity of the information presented to the person

• cultural factors that may influence decision making

• the way the material is presented

Explain the below basic literacy level

• lowest level of literacy

• only have the most simple and concrete literacy skills

• 16% of adult population in the U.S.

Explain the basic literacy level

• second level

• only have skills necessary to perform simple and everyday literacy activities

• 28% of the adult population in the U.S.

The below basic and basic literacy levels make up ___% of the population

44%

1 of 5 American adults read at or below a ___ grade reading level

Average American adult reads at a ___ grade reading level

1 of 5: 5^th grade level

average: 8^th-9^th grade level

Most health care materials are written above a ___ grade reading level

10th

Persons without adequate literacy skills may have trouble ___

understanding and applying health care information

Attorney’s estimate that a clinician’s ___ and ___ are important factors in nearly 75% of malpractice suits

communication style and attitude

Patients are more likely to file a malpractice suit when they are ___

unhappy with the “care” they received

Do most patients injured because of negligence file malpractice claims?

NO

Studies indicate that the medical error itself does not cause patients to sue, but rather the ___

response to the error

Explain apology statutes

39 states (including WI) have passed legislation giving a physician the right to provide a compassionate statement or say “I’m sorry” to patients at the time of an adverse outcome without threat of litigation