Managing obesity and communication

Question 1

Risk factors for chronic disease in teenagers?

Answer 1

• insulin
• ALT - fatty liver
• GGT - lower levels of cholesterol
• HDL - type 2 diabetes levels

Question 2

Difficult conversations - how do you tell the parents?

Answer 2

• may be perceived as bad news
• but parents expect to be told by HCP if there is a concern about their child
• long term effects of obesity make it an important conversations

Question 3

Communicating with children?

Answer 3

• limited communication ability and lack of understanding
• emotional and psychological support
• family essential to communication process
• Different age groups require different communication techniques

Question 4

Stages of development and communication in children?

Answer 4

Infants = Primarily use and understand nonverbal communication
• Crying primarily used to communicate distress

Toddlers = Egocentric and worried about separation
• Limited understanding and concrete thinking lead to literal interoperation of words

School age = Require explanations and reasons for everything
• Afraid of what may happen and will “fill in the gabs” of what they don’t understand

Adolescents = Fluctuation between child and adult thinking and behaviour, affecting communication
• Quick to reject those who they feel don’t listen

Question 5

Communicating with families

Answer 5

• family is essential to Childs support system
• listen to parents (they know them best)
• poor communication generates fear, anxiety
• respect parent as partners in care

Question 6

list some of the general principles: communicating with children

Answer 6

• Allow time for the child to feel comfortable
• talk in calm, quiet & friendly voice
• Speak clearly in simple words and sentences appropriate for age
• always tell the truth
• state directions and suggestions positively
• allow children to express their concerns and anxieties
• use of play, writing, drawing, story telling and other non-verbal technique
• communication through transition object (doll, toy)

Question 7

list some of the general principles: Communicating with adolescents

Answer 7

• spend time to build relationships
• listen
• respect privacy and confidentiality
• be courteous, calm and open minded
• respect their views
• tolerate differences

Question 8

Repeat back method:

Answer 8

Repeat back method:

- medical officer: give a 5mg salbutamol nebuliser and I will be there in 5 mins 
- Sarah: just to confirm you would like me to give a 5mg salbutamol nebuliser

Question 9

Closed loop communication

Answer 9

• surgeon: Sarah could you hang another unit of blood
• Nurse: hanging another unit of blood
• Nurse: Blood has commenced

Question 10

PACE method

Answer 10

• P = probe
• A = Alert
• C = Emergency
• D = Doc