Active Listening
Introduction
Effective communication is a key determinant of patient satisfaction, compliance and recovery. Good communication allows nurses to help patients, families and other care workers to manage emotional crises, pain of physical, mental and even facilitate patients’ treatment plans (Denier et al. 2010; Sirota 2008).
Nurses are continually associated with patients care, and are a vital link between patient, family, physician and other care providers (Denier et al. 2010). Hence, nurses have the responsibility to build a therapeutic relationship with patients. Denier et al (2010) stated that to establish the nurse-patient interrelations, nurses are required to be open and have effective communication skills.
Active listening is one of the fundamental skills in patient-centered care. It is an interactive process to facilitate the understanding and be understood (Adler & Rodman 2009). Active listening requires the suspension of the nurse’s other thoughts and a shift in focus to the content of the patient’s message. Five essential tasks are required; this essay will discuss each of these categories.
Attending
Attending is the primary element in active listening. Nurses have to draw attention to vocal noises and give appropriate responses. It requires the nurse to use eye contact, body language, facial expression and vocal tones to show they are remain attentive to the patient.
However, too much eye contact can be threatening and therefore suitable head nodding or say “uh-huh” at intervals can evidence of being present. An important attribute is the ability to create a sense of freedom and safety, so that the patients can express their thought and experience without fear (Bryant 2009).
Bryant (2009) described that stay in front of the patients and lean slightly forward, having good eye contact, with hands still and look directly at the patient can acknowledge the patients that the nurses are listening. While giving 2 minute full attention to
Effective communication is a key determinant of patient satisfaction, compliance and recovery. Good communication allows nurses to help patients, families and other care workers to manage emotional crises, pain of physical, mental and even facilitate patients’ treatment plans (Denier et al. 2010; Sirota 2008).
Nurses are continually associated with patients care, and are a vital link between patient, family, physician and other care providers (Denier et al. 2010). Hence, nurses have the responsibility to build a therapeutic relationship with patients. Denier et al (2010) stated that to establish the nurse-patient interrelations, nurses are required to be open and have effective communication skills.
Active listening is one of the fundamental skills in patient-centered care. It is an interactive process to facilitate the understanding and be understood (Adler & Rodman 2009). Active listening requires the suspension of the nurse’s other thoughts and a shift in focus to the content of the patient’s message. Five essential tasks are required; this essay will discuss each of these categories.
Attending
Attending is the primary element in active listening. Nurses have to draw attention to vocal noises and give appropriate responses. It requires the nurse to use eye contact, body language, facial expression and vocal tones to show they are remain attentive to the patient.
However, too much eye contact can be threatening and therefore suitable head nodding or say “uh-huh” at intervals can evidence of being present. An important attribute is the ability to create a sense of freedom and safety, so that the patients can express their thought and experience without fear (Bryant 2009).
Bryant (2009) described that stay in front of the patients and lean slightly forward, having good eye contact, with hands still and look directly at the patient can acknowledge the patients that the nurses are listening. While giving 2 minute full attention to