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How to send messages and initiate a conversation?

If a new patient arrives at your healthcare facility or if you are new to your job then it is very important to start a conversation with your patient. The way you interact with the patients plays a crucial role in building trust between you two. What can be the best way to initiate an interaction with the patient, what should be done if a patient needs to send a message to his nurse, doctor, friend or relatives? You can get answers of all these questions by reading further.

1. Introduce Yourself

If a new patient comes in the ward or you have been made in-charge of a new patient, then you need to introduce yourself in a polite and courteous manner. You must take care that the patient does not feel the anxiousness of not being at his/her home. It is the responsibility of a nursing assistant to reduce the patient’s anxiety level. Greet him/her with a smile and introduce self. Call the patient by his name.

2. Ask Simple and Direct Questions

Do not confuse the patients by asking complex and twisted questions. Always construct short and meaningful questions which can easily be understood by the patient. Try to ask questions that can be answered by a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Give them sufficient options so that they do not have to think too much before answering, like ‘Mrs. Eliza, can I get you some chocolate or ice cream?’ If the patient is unable to speak up, you may ask him just to blink his eye for a ‘yes’.

Certified nurse aides must try to explain as many things about them as possible to make patients more comfortable and avoid making them concerned about your identity.

3. Maintain an Appropriate Attitude

Never be over excited or nervous in front of the patients, otherwise, they will feel nervous and uneasy. If you have pitchy voice, keep your tone low so that the patient does not become offended by your loud voice.

4. Be Respectful Towards Your Patient

Always allow patients to speak up their minds and never interrupt them in the middle. You must deal with them unwearyingly, as they are physically and mentally very weak and can take time to understand your instructions. If they fail to comprehend your instructions at once, try to explain them again in simpler and clearer words.


5. When the Patient Wants to Send a Message to the Doctor

In such cases, write down the message on a notepad and take it to the doctor. If the doctor or concerned person is not available on that day, put the message in the mailbox, so that they go through the message as soon as they come back. You must later confirm that the message has reached the correct person. After you get a confirmation, convey the patient about it.

6. When the Patient Wants to Send a Message to His Family Members

If the patient wants to write a mail or make a call to his family members, allow him to do that or make a call on his behalf. Talk to him in a very compassionate manner with a smile on your face, so that he feels comfortable and shares his problems with you.

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