Communication Barriers Essay

Environmental factors can affect the communication between the older adult and the nurse (Ruan & Lambert, 2007). Some of these factors provided by older adults included not being familiar with the hospital floor, dark rooms, loud noises, the amount of patients needing attention (especially when their illness is severe), visitors and family and the age difference between the older adult and the nurse (Ruan & Lambert, 2007). The age difference could potentially make a patient feel as though they have very little in common with the nurse (Ruan & Lambert, 2007). It is important that nurses recognize these environmental factors because of the significance of the nurse and patient relationship. Nurse Barriers Four key barriers that impact the patient and nurse relationship are recognized in the results of a questionnaire research project (Ruan & Lambert, 2007). The four barriers include â€Å"working without a sincere attitude, showing no respect to elderly patients, being unfriendly, and transferring a sense of hopelessness to the patient† (Ruan & Lambert, 2007). Ruan and Lambert (2007) continue by mentioning that nurse’s focus more on the communication aspects of physical activity, whereas the patients are more attracted to the physical process of verbal communication. Patient Barriers Three key barriers are established throughout the results of the questionnaire. These results include â€Å"not trusting the nurse, being hearing-impaired, and pretending to understand† (Ruan & Lambert, 2007). The number one barrier of communication differs between the nurses and the older adults. The nurses listed the top barrier to be because the patient is not feeling well and forgets things easily, whereas the patients identified the top barrier to be related to hearing difficulties (Ruan & Lambert, 2007). Resources Understanding the risks involving communication barriers, it is important to be aware of the resources available to give patients the holistic care that they deserve. McCabe (2004) asserted, â€Å"Patient-centered communication has been shown to promote patients’ satisfaction with care, as well as their health status† (as cited in Ruan and Lambert, 2008). Mui et al. (2007) state if an individual is not fluent in the language provided by the Health Care Provider it may cause feelings of humiliation and result in not seeking health care. According to ED Management (2012) language support for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) is obligatory by law if the hospital obtains federal funds. It is suggested that a professional interpreter be present throughout the care of a client to minimize the communication barriers that could result in negative consequences (ED Management, 2012). If the professional interpreter services are not available, insufficient clarification and comprehension can be considered prejudiced towards those in which don’t use English as a first language (Mui et al., 2007). Another resource available would be providing the patient with a social worker to further their care. This would allow the social worker to assess additional needs of medical care, mental health, and other services available (Mui et al., 2007). Additionally, Mui et al. (2007) states that the social workers can access other organizations that could provide the professional interpreter. Having a family member involved in the care of the patient allows for improved communication. Badger, Clarke, Pumphry, and Clifford (2012) suggest that family members take the time to write down words and phrases in both their preferred language along with English to assist in communication when the family is not available. In several situations when a professional interpreter is not available, the family will be asked to interpret to provide the health care professionals with more accurate communication (Badger et al., 2012). Northern Health provides an interpreter service in which you request through your general practitioner when you book an appointment (Northern Health, 2013). The Transcultural and Language Services Department (TALS) provide interpreting services, translation of medical content, along with research and education (Northern Health, 2013). Application of Personal Experience After further research, there are several actions that I will do differently when working with a client that uses English as a second language. I strongly believe that professional translation services must always be available in our health care system despite the need for funding. Reviewing the data related to the number of older adults that use English as a second language, it is essential that translation services be implemented. With this knowledge, I will provide my patient with the information regarding a professional interpreter and see if that is an option they would want involved in their care. Included in the information I would provide to the patient would be that â€Å"addressing language needs of older immigrants would reduce linguistic disparities, improve access to health care, and eventually improve the health status† (Kim et al., 2011). I believe that providing education on the reasons why this resource would be beneficial to their overall health and care would allow the patient to find it more incising rather than feeling humiliated. It is my responsibility as a student nurse to provide additional resources in which are out of my scope of support in order to give the best holistic care for the patient. Delivering information to the patient on the further resources that social workers are able to access may draw further interest to the patient. I feel that involving a social worker would be beneficial to anyone’s care despite the reasoning for being in the hospital. For example, the research provided stated that older adults tend to not reach out to health care resources because they feel humiliated. Providing a social worker would then allow further care whether it involved health care needs, financial assistance, or the use of an interpreter.