Inspirational words can help patients with cancer and their loved ones rally, but sometimes what is needed is reflective questioning to help them acknowledge how exhausting the fight is for the patient.
Ann Brady suggests a way to help patients who are asked to make a decision between two difficult options.
Researchers investigated the effectiveness of different communication approaches used in shared decision-making with cancer patients.
Survey responses revealed that clinicians and patients do not agree on whether discussions regarding the impact of treatment on employment and/or financial status occur or are helpful.
The use of a contractor to make home repairs offers an interesting analogy to the shared decision-making experience.
Overwhelmed by her poor prognosis, a patient with a newly diagnosed advanced cancer cuts off communicating with her health care team.
Medical terminology can be a foreign language — or confusing, at the least — for many patients. Ann Brady uses a patient encounter to illustrate the potential miscommunication inherent in using “medicalese” in patient communication.
Responses from the 2017 Patient-Provider Relationship Study indicate that most patients want greater connectivity, more online tools, and additional time with doctors.
Although many physical expressions are universal, oncology nurses may be challenged to catch notice of more subtle body language from patients or a family member.
Cultural humility is a different perspective on nurse-patient communication than cultural competence. Eucharia Borden, an oncology social worker, explains their difference and how it can improve your care for patients of minority cultures.
