Communication skills: A tool for interpersonal relationship in nursing care

Abstract

Background: The interpersonal relationship between the nurse and other health care providers is poor. Moreover, the ineffective therapeutic communication skills within the health team are the bane to effective and efficient health care delivery system. Nurses, as members of the health team are supposed to communicate information about the client to other members of the team to enable them carry out a comprehensive plan of care, though this is found wanting. The lack of knowledge of the factors that influence or inhibit effective communication among health care providers contribute to the lopsided health care delivery system. Methods: A review of the process of communication in the nursing process utilizing relevant texts and papers obtained by manual/Medline search. Results: This paper reviews the process of communication, its skills in the nursing process which involves the client's family and other health care professionals in identifying the health care needs of the client. Factors that influence or inhibit effective communication is discussed. Effective communication establishes good working relationships between the nurse, client and other health care providers. Thus, this promotes client's well-being and reduction of death rates in our hospitals. Conclusion: Effective communication is necessary for the nurse's role in helping the client to adapt to the changes resulting from health alterations. Nursing is a communicative interaction and it is believed that the foundation of nursing lies in the communicative attitude. It is a fact that failure to communicate leads to serious problems that can threaten professional credibility. Keywords: Communication, Interpersonal, Relationship, Nursing care. Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 87-89