FACTORS AFFECTING NURSE/PATIENT COMMUNICATION

Factors Affecting Nurse/Patient Communication

Factors Affecting Nurse/Patient Communication

Introduction

The importance of communication is the essential foundation of nursing practise; it is primarily dependant upon verbal and non-verbal communication.

Discussion

Verbal communication primarily entails the conscious use of the spoken word, and although accounting for only fifteen percent of all interpersonal communication, is the principal means of expressing factual information in relations between nurse and patient (Ellis, Gates & Kentworthy, 2002).

The effectiveness of this form of communication is however dependant upon several fundamental factors (Stein-Parbury, 1999). Certainly, the use of language reflecting age, gender, culture, and developmental level, is imperative ...