Person-Centred Communication in Nursing

Introduction to Person-Centred CommunicationPage 1

Person-centred communication is a specialized, goal-oriented process used by nurses to inform, support, educate, and enable self-management. Unlike social conversation, it requires careful thought regarding interpretation, relationship building, and professional ethical boundaries to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

The Role and Outcomes of Effective CommunicationPage 2

Effective communication is fundamental to safe, quality health care. It impacts clinical outcomes, safety, and patient satisfaction. When nurses actively engage patients and families as partners—incorporating their preferences, values, and cultural context—it builds trust and strengthens clinical partnerships.

Communication Models and SkillsPage 3

The transactional model of communication is preferred in healthcare as it views interaction as a reciprocal process where sender and receiver influence each other simultaneously. Therapeutic communication requires nurses to be 'participant observers,' using skills like active listening, empathy, and clarification to achieve health goals.

Core Elements: Empathy and BoundariesPage 4

Empathy involves being emotionally attuned to the patient's perspective. Therapeutic communication differs from social talk by maintaining defined boundaries related to purpose, time, and focus. Self-disclosure by the nurse should be used sparingly and only to benefit the therapeutic relationship.

Nonverbal Communication and Active ListeningPage 5

Nurses must interpret nonverbal cues (body language, tone, eye contact) alongside verbal messages. Active listening is an intentional, transactional process. Using models like SOLER (Sit, Open posture, Lean, Eye contact, Relax) or SURETY helps structure and improve engagement with the patient.

Barriers and Influencing FactorsPage 6

Communication is influenced by internal factors (pain, anxiety, or lack of knowledge) and environmental factors (noise, privacy, and timing). Self-awareness is critical for nurses to manage personal biases and avoid countertransference, ensuring the focus remains on the patient's needs.

Engaging the Patient: Questioning and FeedbackPage 7

Engaging the patient requires a welcoming, respectful demeanor. Questioning techniques should move from open-ended (to encourage stories) to focused (to clarify details) and closed-ended (for emergencies). Providing feedback must be specific, behavior-focused, and delivered with empathy to ensure shared understanding and goal achievement.