Attitudes and Communication in Patient Care (RADS 210)

Patients are very apprehensive because:

1. of unfamiliar environment

2. they are not in control

3. the uncertainty of the outcome of the radiological procedure

Some patients may arrive in the radiology department at the...

Physiological or survival level because the illness has altered some of their bodily functions or could cause them to lose sleep (level 1)

Power abused by dehumanizing

patients such as:

a. having patients wear flimsy gowns

b. referring to the patient as the stomach, hand, skull

c. placing the patient on the same area with more critically ill patients

d. patients having difficulty getting to the restrooms before vomiting, or evacuating

2 classifications of patients

Inpatients (IP) & Outpatients (OP)

Inpatient (IP)

someone who has been admitted to the hospital for diagnostic studies or treatment

Outpatient (OP)

someone who has come to the hospital for diagnosis but does not occupy a bed

inpatients are transported to the radiology department by:

wheelchair (WC), stretcher (STR), and ambulatory (AMB).

Communication with the Patients Family and Friends

1. they will want to know everything

2. always be courteous

3. smile, be brief, puts patients and family at ease

Communication in Patient Care

verbal and nonverbal communication

- do not use terms of endearment (hunny, love)

Verbal Communication

a. clarity of voice

b. vocabulary

c. should be at an appropriate level of the patient (ie: age)

nonverbal communication

paralanguage, body language, touch, professional appearance, visual/eye contact

Paralanguage

music of language; rhythm, pitch, tone, rate of speech, volume

nonverbal communication

Body Language

facial expressions, hand gestures, body movements

nonverbal communication

3 types of touch

1. touching for emotional support

2. touching for emphasis

3. touching for palpation, which is light pressure with the fingers

nonverbal communication

Professional Appearance

Helps the patient feel comfortable and confident in the technologist's abilities

-nonverbal communication

Visual/ Eye contact

lets the patient know you are attentive to them and that you understand what they are conveying to you; is a nonverbal communication

Age range for pediatric patients

infancy to age 15

Infants are afraid of two things

falling and loud noises

How to interact with pediatric patients

a. must get down to the child's level

b. toys or distractions are effective

c. never try to separate a child from a security object

d. NEVER leave a child alone in a room

e. allow parents to accompany patients

f. let the child touch the equipment

How to interact with adolescent patients

primary considerations focuses on body awareness and modesty, avoid embarrassment, expected to act as an adult, may be perceived as hostile

Age range for Geriatric Patients

65 or older

How to interact with geriatric patients

usually do not consider themselves as old, physical and mental variations will vary, do not talk too loudly or use childish terms

Seriously Ill and Traumatized Patients act differently because of

pain, stress, anxiety

Visually Impaired Patients

- blind or decreased vision

- give clear instructions (descriptive)

- reassure patient with gentle touch

Speech and hearing impaired patients

patients who can read may communicate by writing, pantomime and demonstration are also effective

Non-English speaking patients

•Use touch, facial expressions, and pantomime

•Most hospitals maintain a list of bilingual employees or interpreters

Developmentally/ Mentally Impaired Patients

1. degree of mental impairment may vary

2. use a strong, yet reassuring voice

3. continuous conversation helps keep the patient calm

Substance Abusers

1. assess the patients capabilities

2. work fast

3. may be relaxed or hyperactive and irrational

4. may need assistance from other medical personnel (security guard, nurse)

transesophageal puncture (TEP)

type of surgery used to treat laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancers, sometimes performed during a laryngectomy

-creating a communication between the trachea and esophagus and restores the ability to force air from the lungs into the mouth

Larynx

organ of voice; voice box

Esophageal Speech

speech produced with air trapped in the esophagus and forced out again

-used by indicated whose voice box (larynx) has been removed (laryngectomy)

Electrolarynx devices

pushes air into larynx to make voice powered by batteries

-can look like a flashlight or be built into a denture or retainer

Factors that Impede Communication (Avoid these)

Colloquialisms, Slang, Medical Terminology

Colloquialisms

phrase that is common in everyday, unconstrained conversation, rather than in formal speech

ex. yall, gonna, wanna, "he needs to step up to the plate"

Slang

vocabulary that is used between people who belong to the same social group and who know each other well, informal language

ex. sis, geek/nerd, pot, salty

Medical terminology

do not use this while communicating with the patient, the patient may not understand the meaning, impending the communication

-use 'lay' terms

Patient Interactions

1. Establish Communication Guidelines

2.Reducing Distance

3.Listening

4.Using Therapeutic Silence

5.Responding to the feeling and meaning of the patients statement

6. Restating the main idea

7. Reflecting the main idea

8. Making observations

Establishing communication guidelines

introducing oneself to the patient and explaining the examination or treatment to be performed

Reducing Distance

the physical distance between the RT and the patient should be reduced; makes the patient feel included and involved

Listening

healthcare provider must overcome their personal bias be sympathetic/ try to understand patients point of view

Using Therapeutic Silence

allows patient to arrange their thoughts

Responding to feeling and meaning of the patients statement

let's patient know they have been heard and understood

Restating the main idea

validates your interpretation of the message from patient

Reflecting the main idea

helps patient to make his/ her own decision

Making observations

regarding patient if they are tense or nervous

Success in life comes from

25% what you know

25% who you know

50% attitude