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Introduction:

In this assignment, we will analyze a medical conversation between a nurse and a patient to assess the nurse’s active listening skills. We will identify active listening skills that were properly used, discuss the importance of each skill in communication. Additionally, we will identify a skill that was not applied and explore how its absence affected communication. Finally, we will examine the role of a patient advocate and discuss how they could assist in this conversation, including suggestions for improvements and patient advocacy skills that could be employed.

Answer:

Active listening is a crucial skill for healthcare professionals as it allows them to effectively engage with patients, understand their concerns, and provide appropriate care. In the observed video, two active listening skills were properly used by the nurse.

The first active listening skill that was properly used is reflecting or paraphrasing. The nurse consistently repeats or rephrases the patient’s statements to ensure understanding and validate the patient’s emotions. For example, when the patient expresses feelings of sadness, the nurse responds by saying, “You’re feeling really down right now.” This technique helps the patient feel heard and acknowledged, creating a supportive environment.

The second active listening skill that was properly used is nonverbal communication. Throughout the conversation, the nurse maintains open body language, maintains eye contact, and nods in agreement, indicating active engagement. These nonverbal cues demonstrate empathy, encouragement, and support, making the patient feel valued and understood.

However, one active listening skill that was not applied in this scenario is summarizing. Summarizing involves condensing and restating the main points of the conversation. By summarizing, the nurse could have ensured that both parties were on the same page and clarified any potential misunderstandings. The absence of this skill affected communication as certain details may have been overlooked or lost. To implement this skill into future conversations, the nurse could benefit from periodically summarizing the key points and asking the patient for confirmation or additional information.

As a patient advocate, my role in this conversation would involve advocating for the patient’s best interests, ensuring their needs are met, and promoting effective communication. To assist in this conversation, I would have actively intervened to ensure the patient’s concerns were properly addressed. For instance, by politely interrupting the conversation, I could have asked the nurse to summarize the main points to ensure everyone is clear on the next steps. This would have provided an opportunity for the patient to express any additional concerns or questions. Furthermore, I would have facilitated communication by encouraging the nurse to use open-ended questions to gather more information from the patient. By implementing these suggestions, the conversation could have been more productive and patient-centered.

In this scenario, patient advocacy skills that could be applied to best support the patient include active listening, empathy, and effective communication. Active listening would involve fully engaging with the patient, acknowledging their emotions, and responding appropriately. Empathy would allow the healthcare professional to understand the patient’s perspective and provide compassionate care. Effective communication skills, such as using clear language and avoiding medical jargon, would help ensure accurate information exchange.

Overall, by utilizing active listening skills, addressing the lack of one skill, and implementing patient advocacy techniques, healthcare professionals can enhance communication, build trust, and provide patient-centered care.