An Adverse Event with a Communication Factor
As part of professional work in healthcare, it is possible to encounter adverse events, such as using incorrect dosages for treatment. This may occur because the nurse receives inaccurate or limited instructions from the doctors on what dose to administer to the patient. Consequently, there is a breakdown in communication in the physician-nurse system, where the physician’s ability and skills to explain and communicate information play an important role.
The Best Way to Address the Communication Issues
To improve the processes of information transfer between doctors and nurses, it is necessary to work in both directions. On the physician’s side, measures can be taken to improve their communication skills in describing, formulating, and recording instructions in writing. In addition, they need to ensure they are understood correctly and check how the nurse assimilates the information.
On the nurse’s part, it is necessary to develop the qualities of responsibility and accountability, that is, to strengthen the theoretical basis of the profession. This will enable her to improve the adequacy of her actions. She can also integrate active listening into her work and contact the physician if she does not understand the instructions.
Personal Professional Experience
Personal experience suggests that communication is often a barrier to quality care. Such evidence is also found in research: patients have reported that communication with them seriously affects their general perception of treatment and illness (Giardina et al., 2020). Communication errors are related to parties not knowing for what purpose they are conveying or asking for information. For example, medical registrars say their phrases on duty without paying attention to the patient; as a result, they are not on time for their appointments or do not know where to go. The flip side is that patients expect the doctor to understand any complaints they may have and not try to describe the condition in detail or understandably.
Reference
Giardina, T. D., Royse, K. E., Khanna, A., Haskell, H., Hallisy, J., Southwick, F., & Singh, H. (2020). Health Care Provider Factors Associated with Patient-Reported Adverse Events and Harm. Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 46(5), 282–290. Web.