1.17 Therapeutic Communication

Practicing therapeutic communication is in many ways simply developing a good bedside manner.

When your patient asks you a question or discusses something with you, be careful to respond in a helpful and caring manner. By encouraging the patient to speak up, you are probably helping him/her to decrease his level of stress and thereby his recovery time.

Study the techniques discussed in paragraphs 1-15 and 1-16. Become familiar enough with them so that they become a natural part of your conversations.

When your patient communicates with you, you must be able to correctly observe, evaluate, and respond. Your knowledge, understanding, and skill in human relations will enable you to do so.

Sit down when speaking to the patient. Although you probably have dozens of things you need to be doing at that moment, try to relax.
Sit down when speaking to the patient. Although you probably have dozens of things you need to be doing at that moment, try to relax.

Basic Nursing Education