Communication Challenges

Stimulus and Response: How to Use the Space Between in Patient Communication

By

Ann J. Brady, MSN, RN-BC, CHPN

This case illustrates how easy it is to jump over “the space between” your patient’s question and your response, and why a pause before answering is important.

Motivated Reasoning and Moral Injury: Banes of Communication

By

Ann J. Brady, MSN, RN-BC, CHPN

A frantic phone call illustrates 2 concepts in communication that many nurses have had to experience: How to help someone accept what they don’t want to accept.

Jeopardy for Oncology Nurses: What Is ‘How to Answer Difficult Questions’?

By

Ann J. Brady, MSN, RN-BC, CHPN

Two nurse consultants share their perspectives on answering a few common difficult questions family members may have when their loved one is at the end of life.

100% Support: Confusing the Social Meaning (Good) With the Medical Meaning (Bad)

By

Ann J. Brady, MSN, RN-BC, CHPN

This patient case demonstrates the challenge of remotely communicating when a patient’s family confuses the medical meaning with the social meaning of the words used to explain the patient’s condition.

Evaluating the ‘Surprise Question’ in Patients With Metastatic Cancer

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

For this study, patients with a variety of stage IV solid tumors were asked if they would be surprised if they died within the next year.

Patients With Cancer and Physicians Reported Satisfaction With Telemedicine Care

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

Despite some concerns, a survey of physicians and patients with cancer at a Houston cancer center showed satisfaction among both groups.

Upended Universe: Ambiguous Loss and Grief of a Cancer Diagnosis

By

Ann J. Brady, MSN, RN-BC, CHPN

The uncertainty experienced due to COVID can be used to better understand the loss a patient with cancer faces after diagnosis.

Telephone-Based Chaplaincy Interventions Are Feasible For Outpatients With Cancer

By

Susan Moench, PhD, PA-C

“Telechaplaincy” involves the use of telecommunications, including telephone calls, videos, and videoconferencing, to provide religious/spiritual care.

Something to Talk About: Practicing Self-Talk That Builds Resiliency

By

Ann J. Brady, MSN, RN-BC, CHPN

To build resiliency while facing the challenges of COVID-19, nurses should keep this variation of an old adage close to heart: “Treat yourself as you treat others.”

COVID-19: Finding Balance Amidst the Disruption

By

Ann J. Brady, MSN, RN-BC, CHPN

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we communicate with co-workers, patients, and ourselves, as well as how we adapt to changes.