Attitudes And Communication In Patient Care

Question 1

What is the health continuum?

Answer 1

A spectrum from positive to negative perception of well-being

Well being? Or despair?

Question 2

Professional attitudes to develop

Answer 2

• teamwork
• work ethic
• health role model
• sympathy
• empathy
• assertiveness

Question 3

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Answer 3

• Physiologic needs
• Safety and security
• love and belonging
• self-esteem and the esteem of others
• self-actualization

Question 4

Individuals regress when they lose a sense of?

Answer 4

Physical or emotional well being

Question 5

Regressive behavior signs may include:

And what does the R.T. Do in response?

Answer 5

• aggressive demands
• withdrawn silences
• Inability to communicate effectively

Assess patient’s needs so you can communicate in a “therapeutic” manner

• > Reassure
• > Comfort

Question 6

What is communication?

Answer 6

• “ a constantly changing process made up of both spoken and unspoken messages that go from sender to receiver.”

Question 7

What are six components of communication?

Answer 7

1. Message
2. Source
3. Channel
4. Receiver
5. Context
6. Feedback

Question 8

What is nonverbal communication?

Answer 8

• “all stimuli other than the spoken word.”
• constitutes 75% of the message

Look for non-verbal cues

• facial expressions
• lack of eye contact
• Posture
• gestures
• mode of dress
• grooming; etc..

Question 9

What is Medical Ethnocentrism?

Answer 9

• the belief that health care providers, educated and socialized within a biomedical context, have a superior value system and correct, accurate approach to health care

AKA: a white lab coat - intelligence in health care

Question 10

Tips for providing Culturally Competent Care

Answer 10

• don’t stereotype people
• respect the patient’s beliefs, however strange they may appear to you
• don’t neglect the patient’s family
• respect and do not discount a patient’s concern about supernatural influences on his/her health and well being

Question 11

What is the main objective of health care team?

Answer 11

To do what is in best interest of patient

If patient feels like a number, you have created a non-therapeutic relationship

Question 12

What are ten techniques for therapeutic communication?

Answer 12

1. Establish communication guidelines
   • introduce yourself
   • explain the exam procedure to the patient
   • answer questions
   • explain your expectations of the patient
   • describe what the patient can expect from you
2. Reduce distance
3. Listen in a therapeutic manner
   • be non-judgmental
   • don't analyze
   • just listen
4. Use therapeutic silences
5. Respond to the underlying message
6. Restate the main idea
7. Reflect the main idea
8. Seek and provide clarification
9. State your observations
10. Ask exploring questions

Question 13

Blocks to therapeutic communication

Answer 13

• don’t talk too fast
• don’t use medical jargon
• don’t use slang or colloquialisms
• don’t give instructions to patient’s in noisy areas or where there are distractions
• allow patient enough time to answer questions
• don’t offer false reassurance
• don’t be judgmental
• don’t be defensive
• don’t change the subject when the patient is speaking
• don’t give advice

Question 14

Communication with patients’ families

Answer 14

• empathy and patience are required
• useful information
   -Restrooms
   -Cafeteria
   -Waiting areas
   -Length of procedure
   -Delays encountered
   -Follow-up care

Question 15

Patient support services

Answer 15

• family/friends
• pastoral care
• patient-to-patient support groups
• psychological support groups
• hospice
• home care

Question 16

What factors can affect patient’s emotional responses?

Answer 16

• age
• gender
• marital/family status
• socioeconomic factors
• cultural/ religious variations
• physical condition
• self-image
• past health experiences
• beliefs
• attitudes
• prejudices
• self-awareness

Question 17

What are some causes of grief?

Answer 17

• aging
• physical injury or disability
• disease
• loss of a body part
• loss of body function
• death of a loved one
• knowledge of own impending death

Question 18

What are five phrases of grief

Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Answer 18

• Denial
• Anger
* Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance

Question 19

Some challenges with communication

Answer 19

• non-english speaking
• hearing impairment
• vision problems
• aphasia (inability to speak)
• mentally impaired
• altered states of consciousness
• children/adolescents
• geriatric

Question 20

What is geriatrics?

Answer 20

It is the branch of medicine dealing with the aged and the problems of the aging

Question 21

What is the radiographers role in geriatrics?

Answer 21

• R.T.’s must be prepared to meet the challenges of this population
• the whole person must be treated, not only their symptoms
• each person is unique

Question 22

When communicating with elderly patients remember…

Answer 22

• senses diminish with age
• patience is key
• be empathetic and have a warm attitude
• don’t overload the patient with instructions

Question 23

Physical, physiologic, and psychological changes to aware of with geriatric patients

Answer 23

• elderly patients can feel depressed and down
• they deal with physical and emotional losses
• orthostatic hypotension can occur
• give patients time to sit, before standing

Question 24

What is ageism?

Answer 24

• ageism is a term used to describe stereotyping and discrimination against elderly
• elderly patients are stereotyped as being senile, miserable and dependent on others
• negative attitudes arise towards elderly patients because they aren’t able to cooperate as well as we would like

Question 25

Chronic conditions of the elderly

Answer 25

• osteoarthritis
• diabetes
• COPD
• heart disease
• hypertension
• hearing and visual impairment
• Cataracts
• Varicose Veins

Question 26

Tips for working with the elderly

Answer 26

• take time to educate the patient and family
• speak slower, lower and closer
• treat patients with dignity and respect
• give patients time to rest between x-rays
• avoid adhesive tape (may tear skin)
• provide warm blankets
• use table pads and hand rails

Question 27

Methods of patient identification

Answer 27

• verify name/ D.O.B.
• wrist band
• physician’s order
• chart
• institution specific

Question 28

What should be explained to patient?

Answer 28

• positioning
• length of procedure
• immobilization devices
• machine movement/sounds