Chapter 12: Communication
Katie Baker
Summary
In conclusion, medical communication is important for providing accurate information to other providers, patients and their families, and insurance companies. Whether using programs in electronic medical records or paper charting, healthcare personnel will use a standardized layout for their charting and are required to use accepted medical shorthand and abbreviations to maintain clarity in their communications.
Appropriate tone and language help to convey professionalism in all workplace-related communications and in healthcare it is no different. An awareness of the medium, the recipient and the context of the message will help everyone to communicate effectively as well. Providing translated materials and interpreters for patients and their families is required by law and is another way to ensure that communication is complete and appropriate.
Review Questions
- Describe three ways in which you could communicate with a disabled patient.
- List and describe the seven components of communication. How would you use each of them to provide effective communication with a patient or a colleague?
- Why is professional communication important in healthcare? Name three reasons.
- What do S, O, A, and P in SOAP notes stand for?
- Describe situations where you might use different styles of medical charting and why?
- For each of the following four regions of the body, create a sentence to describe a medical complaint using medical terminology instead of lay language (head, torso, arms, and legs).
- Name one benefit of electronic charting and one benefit of paper charting.
- Name one problem with electronic charting and one problem with paper charting.
- Why is it important to use professional interpreters rather than family members or staff?
- Explain why using text messaging to communicate with patients may be unsafe.