Aims and Objectives
The aim of the research is to analyze the extent to which communication can influence healthcare stakeholders. For this, the study will aim to provide statistics on incidents that occurred due to poor communication. Lastly, the paper will explore the direct effects of healthy communication.
Justification/Rationale for Proposed Study
A genuine therapeutic connection can be built between the healthcare personnel and the patient or client when communication is carried out effectively and appropriately, which is a core clinical competence. From a theoretical perspective, reduced patient safety is frequently caused by communication issues (Chichirez and Purcărea, 2018). From a policy perspective, nationwide medical malpractice claims climbed by 37% during a 5-year period (from 2002 to 2011) in Saudi Arabia, which makes healthcare policies essential for this issue (Mahsoon and Dolansky, 2021). From an empirical perspective, unhealthy communication often leads to nurse burnout. Therefore, the included parties that will contribute to the exploration of the communication issue in healthcare are patients, staff, and policymakers.
Background
Poor communication in the healthcare field leads to detrimental consequences every year. For the past five years, poor communication has contributed to 1,744 patient fatalities and over $1.7 billion in litigation expenses (Regis College Online, 2021). This demonstrates that improved communication techniques would help both patients and medical professionals. To safeguard their patients, reduce expenses, and improve daily operational efficiency, healthcare professionals must have efficient intrahospital and interhospital communication. Patients gain from easier access to their health history, which lowers the possibility of medical mistakes. As a result, the given research will focus on questions about the essence of communication, its stakeholders in the healthcare field, and the benefits of effective communication.
Communication Between the Departments
Insufficient communication in health care departments can result in important information not being shared among coworkers, contradictory relationships, or a lack of understanding regarding duties and job titles. The use of diverse terminology or the supply of inadequate information might lead to incorrect material processing (Vermeir et al., 2017). Even while an entire team provides medical treatment, individual skilled practitioners have traditionally been the main focus of medical safety and security. In this sense, interprofessional cooperation is accomplished via the collaborative efforts of all coworkers, clear communication, and appreciation for each team member’s duty (Vermeir et al., 2017). There ought to be an area for each team member’s participation. In addition to the team’s information and expertise, which are technical skills, non-technical abilities like communication, team composition, psychological outlook, and management style can also have an impact on the team’s effectiveness.
Among the benefits that stem from healthy communication between departments is job satisfaction. It has been demonstrated that communication satisfaction with one’s superior is linked to higher organizational commitment, which is connected to nurse attrition mitigation (Vermeir et al., 2017). There is no doubt that effective communication influences job satisfaction, which in turn influences nurses’ turnover. Staff turnover might result from low job satisfaction, which has a detrimental impact on care quality (Vermeir et al., 2017). Additionally, the firm must pay more for recruitment and training expenses (Vermeir et al., 2017). Moreover, the occupational happiness of nurses affects patient satisfaction. Notably, a high level of job satisfaction is linked to greater commitment, which is linked to a higher level of patient satisfaction with the care they receive.
Communication with Patients for their Arrangements
However, efficient communication between departments is not the only factor in decreasing medical mistakes and ensuring quality care. Even while determining a diagnosis and course of treatment remains the primary goal of the doctor-patient engagement, it must be accomplished by taking into account the patient’s demand for information on matters that are not clinically important but are really important from a medical standpoint. Any clinical action will become uncomfortable if the patient is uninformed since they will be resistant, perplexed, and dissatisfied (Vermeir et al., 2017). Communication with the patient needs to be appropriate for their situation, insight, and potential for factors that build a healthy connection.
In this situation, effective interpersonal skills are required to react to the patient’s concerns and emotions, as well as the ability to establish and maintain a trusting relationship in order to develop a kind of strong communication. Deep theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as the capacity to apply it in the creative activity of specialized, personalized, and human care, are indications of a doctor’s expertise (Vermeir et al., 2017). In order to diagnose the person’s health condition as well as their typology tier, cultural background, and psychological condition, a doctor must be able to analyze a variety of information, emotions, mentalities, and reactions (Vermeir et al., 2017). This is necessitated by deep philosophical training and emotional and educational approaches. At the same time, they must demonstrate the capacity to identify the nuanced ways in which patients attempt to express their worries and concerns and actively look into their thoughts and opinions regarding the state of their health (Vermeir et al., 2017). The ability of the doctor to communicate leads to efficient treatment and fewer hospital admissions in the future.
Communication with the Stakeholders
Furthermore, the comprehension of healthcare procedures and treatments can be facilitated by efficient communication with the stakeholders. These key players are able to interpret complicated scientific information into easily digestible forms and integrate it into the context of regular decision-making for physicians, caretakers, legislators, and even family members of patients (Mahsoon and Dolansky, 2021). Approaches for stakeholder communication should, therefore, emphasize assisting decision-makers in strengthening their capacity for data transmission, advocating for a particular healthcare program, gaining access to useful materials, and locating or initiating financing for clinical studies and research.
Communication with Co-Workers
Lastly, conventional healthcare training places a strong emphasis on the need for error-free practice and employs strong peer pressure to ensure accuracy in both treatment and diagnosis. As a result, mistakes are typically seen as signs of failure (Regis College Online, 2021). This setting prevents the honest, open conversation about errors that are necessary for organizational learning to occur. Clinical errors may occur in instances when there is a lack of communication. These mistakes may result in severe damage or unanticipated fatal consequences. Medical mistakes, particularly those brought on by a breakdown in communication, are a widespread issue in today’s health care systems. However, productive communication among co-workers is encouraged through effective staff communication, which also fosters consistency and clarity within the patient care staff (Regis College Online, 2021). At its peak, effective communication promotes cooperation, promotes teamwork, and aids in error prevention.
References
Mahsoon, A. N., & Dolansky, M. (2021). Safety culture and systems thinking for predicting safety competence and safety performance among registered nurses in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Research in Nursing, 26(1-2), 19-32.
Chichirez, C. M., & Purcărea, V. L. (2018). Interpersonal communication in healthcare. Journal of Medicine and Life, 11(2), 119.
Regis College Online. (2021). What Is the Importance of Communication in Health Care? Web.
Vermeir, P., Degroote, S., Vandijck, D., Mariman, A., Deveugele, M., Peleman, R.,… & Vogelaers, D. (2017). Job satisfaction in relation to communication in health care among nurses: A narrative review and practical recommendations. Sage Open, 7(2), 1-11.