Improving Communication With Families

Course overview

Nurses and social workers interact with families. Often patients are unable or unwilling to share information practitioners need to deliver quality care. Family members can be a good source of data. Nurses can provide them all with enhanced communication skills. Formal and informal family meetings promote communication in stressful circumstances, especially when conducted proactively. They have been shown to improve family and staff satisfaction. If you are used to talking one-on-one with patients, interacting therapeutically with multiple family members can be overwhelming, especially during end-of-life situations and when beliefs, values, and expectations of family and patient may not be aligned. This course will help you become a more effective communicator.