Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Emily Gathman
Authors Note
This paper was written for ENGL 2001, taught by professor Coco. The audience of this
paper is future nursing students and nurses who want to understand the affect their words can
have on a patient.
Abstract
EFFECT OF ORAL COMMUNICATION 2
This paper was written as a tool for future nursing students to understand the importance
of communication in the job they are pursuing. This paper discusses the oral communication
skills needed by people in the nursing career to properly care for their patients. The paper
explores specific attributes of oral communication that can help a nurse in day to day interaction
with patients. These attributes include listening, simplified language, pre-operative language, and
active communication. Sources are provided as evidence to the points presented in the report to
help the reader understand the true impact a nurses words can have on a patient.
Preface
EFFECT OF ORAL COMMUNICATION 3
In the category of focus, I gave myself a 1. I think that the points I made I the paper
generally relate to my overall theme of effects oral communication can have on a patient.
However, I think I could have stayed a little more focused and directly connected my points to
the theme. In the organization category, I gave myself a 2-. I think my paper is slightly organized
but there is room for improvement. In development, I gave myself a 2. I think I tried my best to
develop my points in the time given, but I could use help further developing them and being
more specific. In audience awareness, I gave myself a 1+. I tried my best, but I seem to struggle
with righting in a way that keeps my audience in mind.
I think the sources I have for this paper will do a good job at backing up the claims I
make in the paper. Unfortunately, I did not include all of them in this draft. However, I think my
paper does a good job at starting the process of understanding the effect oral communication can
have on a patient and the importance of oral communication. I think my common pitfall section
is the strongest part of this paper.
The comments on my draft that told me where I needed to further develop my point and add
examples were the most helpful comments. These comments enabled me to see where I wasnt
going unto enough detail to make my point clear to the reader. All of the revisions pointed out to
me were clear and easy to understand. I could clearly see the problems in my essay and did my
best to resolve them.
Introduction
Nurses use many forms of communication in day to day environments. They rely on
communication to understand what is needed of them and what type of care would be best for the
patient. Communication in general is incredibly important to all people in order to ensure that
systems and activities run smoothly. However, it has been said that communication is even more
vital to nurses than the average person. Oral communication is one of the most important braches
understand their patients and the needs of those patients. Verbal communication can have many
EFFECT OF ORAL COMMUNICATION 4
different effects on the patient, and it is the job of nurses to know correct oral communication
Overview of Genres
The examples of oral communication discussed are listening, simplification, and active
communication. These are examples of verbal communication that nurses can use to improve
patient care.
Listening
nurses. The oral communication skills used by nurses to patients can include asking the patient
questions, discussing treatment plans, and comforting the patient. By communicating effectively
with patients, nurses have a better opportunity to learn vital information about the patient that
can help in patient care and diagnosis. A key part of oral communication that can provide
tremendous information to nurses is the skill of listening. Listening to patients is the main way
nurses can understand the situation the patient is in. Even information that passes by in small talk
can help nurses do their job. Often patients will mention information that seems unimportant to
them but is vital in the nurses diagnosis of the patients. Perhaps what seemed like a small fall to
a patient, could be an explanation to the nurse for why the patient is having seizures. If nurses
listen closely they may be able to pick up on information that would otherwise be a mystery.
associated with listening were most important and in greatest need of improvement by nurses
(p. 291). One reason listening is so important for nurses is because it shows the patient that they
care. A nurse who is giving their full attention to a patient will help them feel comfortable and
EFFECT OF ORAL COMMUNICATION 5
cared for. This behavior will often encourage the continuation of oral communication which may
help with future patient care. Active listening is as simple as making strong eye contact with the
patient so they know you are listening and understanding what they are saying. It is also
important that nurses truly listen to the words and meaning of what the patient is saying, instead
of daydreaming or thinking of unrelated things. Active listening could be the difference between
missing out on vital information, or having the opportunity to save a patients life.
Simplification of Language
Another key aspects of verbal communication that is key to the success of nurses is the
over simplification of language. Often, patients do not have the education needed to understand
medical terms used by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff. Not understanding what is
going on because of this language barrier may cause unnecessary stress to the patient and their
family. In order to receive proper consent for treatment from a patient of their family, it in
important that nurses confirm that the patients understand what is going on. An example of this
situation can be seen in the article written by Carolyn Williams where a nursing students
discusses the death of her father and how communication was key in that time of her life. Not
long before the father passed, hospital staff met with the daughter and her stepmother to discuss
the option of not resuscitating the father should he stop breathing. While the daughter understood
what was happening because of her training, the stepmother could not decide what to do because
of her lack of understanding. The daughter realized the importance oral communication can have
on the outcome of the wellbeing of the patient and their family. The daughter said the
situation with my stepmother highlighted for me just how complex communication is and how
easy it is to be taken for granted (Williams, 2007, p. 27). Because the daughter took the time to
thoroughly explain the situation to the stepmother, they were able to make a decision about the
EFFECT OF ORAL COMMUNICATION 6
fathers treatment with full knowledge of the consequences. Simplifying language may be
something that is overlooked by some nurses who assume others have knowledge of medical
terms. However, this behavior can be detrimental to the patients health and may cause stress to
the patient. The patient may also feel embarrassed that they do not understand the nurse, which
can lead to a lack of communication on the patients end as well. It is imperative that nurses take
the time to explain medical information concerning the patient to insure the patients wellbeing.
Active Communication
There can be many problems with oral communication in nursing. One of the many
pitfalls that can occurs is the practice of unconscious communication. This type of oral
communication consists of nurses speaking with patients without fully understanding the weight
of their words and the effect they have on the patient. When nurses are not fully active in their
communication, they can easily say something that can me harmful to the patient. An example of
this event is the idea of heteronormativity. Heteronormativity is when a nurse assumes the sexual
orientation of a patient and cares for them accordingly. Many attitudes in nursing assume that
all patients and significant others are heterosexual, and these heteronormative assumptions may
lead to poor communication that affects nursing quality (Rndahl, 2006, p. 374).
of the patients spouse had the right to marriage. In some states, this
law still stands. However, that does not mean
heterosexual individuals should not be able to
put down their partners information.
Assuming the patient is practicing This assumption can lead nurses to ask the
heterosexual sexual activity wrong questions about their sexual activity
which may lead to an incorrect diagnosis.
Making statements that clearly assume the The assumption may make the patient feel
patient is heterosexual, like assuming they uncomfortable about discussing their life with
have a spouse or children the nurse which cuts of communication.
(Rndahl)
Unconsciously communicating with patients may lead nurses to say things that will make
the patient uncomfortable. This discomfort with the nurse has the potential to cause the patient to
stay closed off and resist communicating. The lack of communication can lead to problems with
diagnosis and treatment. By being active in their oral communication with patients, nurses keep
the door open to effective communication with patients when they are not offended or
uncomfortable.
Conclusion
The role nurses play in day to day patient care is vital. Without them, it would be
impossible to take care of all the medical emergencies in the world. While nurses are vital to the
healthcare industry, it is important that they do their jobs effectively or they can cause more harm
than good. By communicating effectively with patients, nurses are given a better opportunity to
provide the correct care for the patient. By listening, simplifying their language so the patient can
comprehend, and focusing on actively communication with patients, nurses open the door for
smooth, effective communication. When communication from the nurses end is effective, it is
more likely the patient will communicate as well. This flow of communication can be vital for
nurses to care for patients. Thus, the outcome of the patients health relies heavily on the use of
EFFECT OF ORAL COMMUNICATION 8
oral communication. Verbal communication may just be the most important skill for nurses to
have, but it also affects the patient greatly. This affect is why proper oral communication is
important.
References
Rndahl, G., Innala, S., & Carlsson, M. (2006). Heterosexual assumptions in verbal and non-
verbal communication in nursing. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 56(4), 373-381.
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.04018.x
Williams, C. (2007). Starting out: student experiences in the real world of nursing. A family
death highlights the importance of communication. Nursing Standard, 21(30), 27.