Communication tips by Nursing on the Move.
Are you a professional or a pre-professional?
Do you use a second or foreign language at work?
Do you have a friend who speaks a foreign language at work or has a cultural background different from colleagues/customers?
Understandable language uses simple, recognisable and clear words and phrases to ask questions, to explain, for example, symptoms and examinations and plan, for instance further tests and treatment. It avoids jargon, abbreviations and other difficult or complex words and phrases.
Instead of saying: Do you feel better or do you still feel the pain? (a double question)
You should say: Do you feel better? (single question)
Sometimes jargon, abbreviations and in general more complex words and phrases cannot be avoided. In this case, it is best to apologise and then do what you can to help make this complex language easier for the patient to understand. Some strategies for doing this are:
- Breaking long explanations down into smaller, more digestible ‘chunks’. Check that the patient has understood each chunk before moving on to the next.
[su_box title=“Example“ box_color=“#345597″]I will tell you what I think is wrong, then what I expect to happen and finally what can be done.[/su_box]
- Using logical structuring to make these chunks easier to understand, and to connect to each other.
[su_box title=“Example“ box_color=“#345597″]
I will first tell you what I think is wrong, then what I expect to happen and finally what can be done.[/su_box]
- Using explicit categorisation to make these chunks easier to understand, and to connect to each other.
[su_box title=“Example“ box_color=“#345597″]
I will now tell you what I think is wrong, then what I expect to happen and finally what can be done.[/su_box]
For more information, tips and examples, click here.
© 2019 Communication for Professionals
Essential Communication Skills for Nursing & Midwifery
by Philippa Sully, Joan Dallas
Effective communication skills are crucial in all aspects of nursing and midwifery practice – this book will enable readers to communicate effectively and with confidence in their professional practice. It focuses on the communication skills needed for the development of effective professional and therapeutic relationships… shop the book
An Evidence-Based Perspective on Greetings in Medical Encounters
by G. Makoul, A. Zick, M. Green
Widely used models for teaching and assessing communication skills highlight the importance of greeting patients appropriately, but there is little evidence regarding what constitutes an appropriate greeting… read more
Published in GI-Mail 01/2017 & 08/2019 (English + German edition). Sign up for GI-Mail here. 
Tip: More up to date educational events can be found online in the Education Database »medicine & health«.
