Communication 2

Question 1

9Special circumstances that affect communications

Answer 1

• Patients who do not speak the language the radiographer understands
• The hearing impaired patients
• Patients with Deafness
• Patients with impaired vision
• Patients who are unable to speak
• Patients with impaired mental function
• Patients with impaired mental function
• Patients with altered state of consciousness

Question 2

Define culture

Answer 2

the socially inherited characteristics of a group
of people that are transmitted from one generation to the next

Question 2

Inherited characteristics

Answer 2

• nationality,
• race,
• language,
• religious faith,
• food preferences,
• traditions

Question 3

The radiographer should assess each patient as they interact with them to avoid infringing upon their cultural identity, This assessment requires critical thinking & directly impacts on the plan of care. What are the areas of assessment.

Answer 3

• Culture
  What are the customs and values of this patient that may affect the treatment of this
  patient?
• Sociological
  What is the patient’s economic status, his/her educational background & his family
  background
• Psychological
  How will the patient’s self-concept & sexual identity affect my plan of care
• Physiological & biological
  Are there anatomical & racial aspects of this patient that may affect my plan of care

Question 4

How does a radiographer become a member of therapeutic health care

Answer 4

by practicing a series of communication techniques called therapeutic communication techniques

Question 5

Therapeutic communication techniques

Answer 5

• Establishing guidelines
• Reducing distance
• Listening
• Silence
• Responding to the underlying message
• Restating the main idea
• Reflecting the main idea
• Seeking & providing clarification
• Making observation
• Exploring
• Validating
• Focusing

Question 6

1. Establishing guidelines for the interaction with the patient.

Answer 6

• Introducing yourself to the patient
• Provide an explanation of the procedure to be performed
• Give an explanation of what is expected of the patient & what
  the patient can expect from the radiographer
• Communication should be clear, concise and non threatening in manner, ensures compliance

Question 7

2. Reducing distance

Answer 7

• Reduced physical distance between patient & yourself enhances
  effective communication
• Proximity makes the patient feel included and involved but don’t
  invade their personal space
• Face the patient directly, maintain eye contact when speaking & being
  spoken to
• Avoid postures that convey a lack of receptiveness of the patient i.e.
  crosses-arms or legs by the radiographer

Question 8

What shows that someone is not professional

Answer 8

Performance of other tasks while speaking to the patient
indicates disinterest in the patient i.e. using a phone, chewing
gum, reading newspaper or books etc.

Question 9

3. Listening

Answer 9

• Overcome your personal biases when listening to patients
• Dismiss the biases and assume a totally non-judgmental attitude
  as you are listening to patient
• Listen attentively so that you interpret what the speaker is saying
• Make sure you gather accurate information & understand the
  feeling & meaning of the message the patient is trying to convey

Question 10

4.Using silence

Answer 10

• Use of short periods of silence as one listens to the patient allows
  the patient to arrange his thoughts and consider what he/she
  wants to say
• These periods also give the radiographer an opportunity to
  assess the patients non-verbal communication as well as his own

Question 11

5.Responding to the underlying message

Answer 11

When a patient expresses a feeling of disheartening or anger, joy or relief, lets
respond to that message to let him/her know that his/her feelings about the
situation have been understood

Question 12

6.Restating the main idea

Answer 12

• Repeating the main idea expressed by the patient is a useful communication
  technique
• It validates the radiographers’ interpretation of the message and also informs the patients that he or she is being held

Question 13

7.Reflecting the main idea

Answer 13

• Directing back to the patient the main idea of what he/she stated
• It keeps the patient as the focus of the communication & allows the patient
  to explore his or her own feelings about the matter
• In the process, radiographer then helps the patient to make his/her own
  decision

Question 14

7.Reflecting the main idea example

Answer 14

Patient
Do you think I really need this procedure? Am not sure it will help

Radiographer
Do you feel you should refuse this procedure?

Question 15

6. Restating the main idea example

Answer 15

Patient
I am having a lot of pain in my left hip, and I might need help getting up on
the examination table
Radiographer
You think that you will need help getting up on the table because of pain
Patient
Yes, will you help me?

Question 16

8.Seeking and providing clarification

Answer 16

• Indicates to the patient that the radiographer is listening to what is being said but is not sure he has fully understood the message
• The radiographer clarify directions by using different terminology
• This may happen when you are giving instructions to the patient ie on special
  examinations or any other procedures

Question 17

9.Making observations

Answer 17

• Making observations or verbalizing the perceived feelings of the
  patient

Example
Radiographer
You seem to be very tense, Madam Arinze. Are you concerned with the examination

Question 18

10.Exploring

Answer 18

• The radiographer direct questions relating to the problems of the
  patient
• When the patient relates information about him/herself, pursue
  the problem by exploring it further

Question 19

10. Exploring example

Answer 19

Patient
* Every time I receive that type of injection, I feel very strange
Radiographer
* Can you tell me what it feels like when you have this type of
injection?

Question 20

11.Validating

Answer 20

Verifying what the patient has reported during the conversation.

Radiographer
Ms Palesa, you are saying that you have difficulty breathing when you are lying flat?
Patient
Yes, I must be in a sitting position in order to breathe well