310018 Communicating with Anxious Patients

Course overview

Discussion of health anxieties including the diagnostic criteria used for various anxiety disorders, treatments for health anxiety, and effective techniques to use when with working with anxious and difficult patients. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting approximately 18 percent of the population, and costing the U.S. approximately $42 billion each year. Anxiety disorders can become very disabling for an individual, and establishing an empathic working relationship is crucial when caring for and communicating with these individuals. Nurses can play an important role in the assessment and management of anxiety in patients, and therapeutic skills are essential when caring for these individuals. This program discusses anxiety disorders, including how nurses can communicate and interact with patients to have a positive effect on patient outcomes.