Question

As a healthcare professional, it will be important to understand that the communication cycle is information transferred between the sender and the receiver. We know that communication can be positive or negative and active listening means giving your undivided attention to your patient.

Share a personal experience when the communication cycle was positive or negative. How will you use active listening strategies as a healthcare professional to improve your listening skills?

Answer 1

Active listening is crucial in healthcare to improve patient communication. Strategies like giving undivided attention and demonstrating empathy help enhance listening skills.

Step-by-step explanation:

Active listening is a crucial skill for healthcare professionals to improve patient communication. One personal experience of positive communication was when I actively listened to a patient's concerns and empathized with their feelings. This enabled me to provide appropriate care and address their needs effectively.

As a healthcare professional, I will use active listening strategies by giving my undivided attention to patients, maintaining eye contact, and demonstrating empathy through verbal and non-verbal cues. Additionally, summarizing and reflecting on what a patient says will help me ensure accurate understanding and improve overall patient communication.

Answer 2

Positive Communication Cycle Example:
A patient was feeling anxious about a recent diagnosis of diabetes. During the appointment with their healthcare provider, the provider used open-ended questions to allow the patient to express their concerns and fears. The provider also used active listening strategies such as maintaining eye contact, nodding, and paraphrasing to show the patient that they were being heard and understood. This positive communication cycle allowed the patient to feel more comfortable and supported, which led to a more productive discussion about treatment options and lifestyle changes.