J.J is a nurse practitioner who works in a primary care facility. He believes that one of the most important aspects of his work is to foster a therapeutic relationship with his clients. He is using effective communication techniques.
Many of his clients have altered sensory perception such as blindness and deafness. Because of these conditions, He has to be extremely patient with his clients. J.J. also finds that the use of respect and humor help him bond more readily with his clients.
CASE QUESTIONS:
- Discuss strategies that promote trust between patients and health care providers.
- Moral distress is a frequent situation where health care providers should face. Please define and articulate a personal experience where you have faced Moral distress in your practice.
- Explain how health promotion relates to morality.
- Describe your insights about your own communication strengths and weaknesses. Identify situations in which it may be difficult for you to establish or terminate a therapeutic relationship.
Sample Answer
1. Strategies that Promote Trust between Patients and Healthcare Providers
Trust is the bedrock of any effective healthcare relationship. It's essential for accurate assessment, effective treatment, and patient adherence. For J.J. and all healthcare providers, several strategies are key:
- Effective Communication: This is J.J.'s focus and a cornerstone of trust-building. This includes:
- Active Listening: Truly hearing what the patient is saying (and not saying), using verbal and non-verbal cues to show you're engaged. For J.J., this involves extra effort with clients with altered sensory perception, like leaning in (if hearing impaired), speaking clearly and slowly (not condescendingly), using written confirmation, and ensuring the environment is visually accessible (e.g., good lighting for the visually impaired).
- Clear and Concise Explanations: Using plain language, avoiding excessive medical jargon, and explaining things multiple times if needed, adapting the method based on the patient's sensory perception and understanding.
- Cultural Humility and Sensitivity: Demonstrating respect for the patient's cultural background, beliefs, and values, including their views on health and medicine (especially relevant for J.J. dealing with potential mistrust and homeopathic preferences).
- Respect and Empathy: Showing genuine respect for the patient as an individual, acknowledging their feelings, validating their concerns, and demonstrating empathy. J.J. correctly identifies respect as crucial. This is vital for building rapport, especially with populations historically mistrustful of Western medicine.
- Consistency and Reliability: Being dependable, following through on commitments, and maintaining professional boundaries consistently.
- Transparency and Honesty: Being open about uncertainties, explaining limitations, and being truthful in a compassionate manner.1. Strategies that Promote Trust between Patients and Healthcare Providers