Healthcare organisations across the world have one priority that supersedes everything else: top-notch patient care. But providing proper care means becoming a better speaker and listener, towards the patients, their family and colleagues. Implementing a proper communication channel is one of the critical components in the patient care process. For the professionals that are responsible for a patient’s health, whether it is the doctor sharing information in-house with other specialists or staff exchanging medical reports with another facility, effective communication is critical.
A strong communication policy plays a great role in enriching a patient’s health while ensuring smooth operation for the organisation. Even a minor mistake or delay in communication can put the patient at a risk. Effective communication of information can empower patients and demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to safety and better outcomes. Below are some areas where mastering communication skills can ensure safer patient care experience:
Building a Rapport
An imperative skill for every medical professional, it is important to shape the relationship with patients. During treatments, the patient needs to trust their doctors and nurses, and that can only be done when a bit of time is taken to establish a bond.
Encouraging Questions
Patients ask a variety of questions while they are being admitted, and understandably so, they have to undergo various tests, treatments and sometimes even surgical operations. Hence, encourage them to ask questions and give them straight & encouraging answers to build trust. Even the professionals should ask questions that explain the health and habits of the patients, which can lead to more personalised care.
Sharing Research
As an industry that is heavily reliant on research, the improvement in healthcare has been one of the biggest success stories of mankind. By sharing research with other organisations and labs, the healthcare industry has been able to evolve medicines, tools and even surgical procedures. Creating a communication and collaboration channel with other healthcare organisations can greatly enhance patient care across the country.
The above methods are just a few dependable communication skills for the healthcare professionals, but a lot more needs to be done. The Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations or CAHO is an eminent body that regulates healthcare organisations and offers various workshops. They provide various training programmes such as nursing training programmes, hospital training programmes, infection control nurse course, etc. Taking up and providing such the communication course will be the boon that will drive your medical organisation forward.
