Research has shown a connection between good communication of health providers and patients culminates in improved and quality care. Communication is not only paramount to the health of the patient but also for the well-being of your health organization. Medical communication also enhances your organization’s productivity due to your staff working as a team hence functioning as one unit. Developing a healthy communication system within your organization improves your staff’s superb concentration in providing patient-centered care.

Breakdown in-hospital communication systems can result in dire consequences to both medical providers as well as patients. Research has demonstrated that for almost every medical blunder experienced, there is a communication behind it. The effects of those errors range from malpractice claims, injured reputation, demotivated staff, and to the extreme, the demise of the patient. Ways in which medical communication can be improved include:

Evaluate your current forms of communication.

Before you revamp your internal communication, you need first to assess your current effort and identify any existing gaps in your communication mode that lead to errors. As someone working in the healthcare field, you are already aware of the importance of averting calamitous medical mistakes that can prove very costly.

After evaluating your communication, indulge yourself in getting the feedback and build an elaborate internal communication strategy. Good communication encompasses allowing your staff to raise concerns, listening to their feedback, and making the necessary changes. Listening to your staff’s and patient’s grievances improves your communication systems strategy. Also, conduct a gap analysis to establish where improvements are required in your communication health care system.

Streamline and automate your communication systems.

In the medical field, there are protocols that you are supposed to undertake. Still, when you carry out an outstanding assessment of your current communication system, you establish alternative ways of streamlining your channels. Ensure your communication observes simplicity to avoid complications that arise from complex communication systems. Ensure that your communication confidentiality and security are highly maintained to mitigate unnecessary steps that are confusing and time-consuming. Streamlining can be done through;

∙Training.

∙Screening.

∙Meetings.

∙Checklists

∙Protocols.

Provide face to face communication.

As you embrace technology in communicating with your employees, also remember to employ face to face communication. An in-person meeting is vital in maintaining effective communication between health professionals. Listening to your staff does not only demonstrate that you care but magnifies your presence in the working environment. Meetings show that you value your team’s efforts and want to share their experience in the field.

Be empathetic.

Communication becomes more simple and straightforward if a caring attitude is demonstrated to the patient. One of the most complaints made by patients is that they feel that their health concerns are not listened to by their medical providers. Patients who think they are not heard may regard their diagnosis as inaccurate and rarely comply with the specified treatment course. Embrace the following tips to empathize with your patients;

∙Give them time to express themselves.

∙ Ask questions to understand the patient’s background.

∙ Inquire from the patients their needs and expectations

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Create a feedback loop.

It is a process of introducing change within a system to trigger specific results. It is wise to introduce a feedback loop to evaluate patients’ understanding to mitigate unsuitable treatment outcomes. Feedback loop does not only help you to identify gaps in comprehension but also allows patients to reflect on conversations and increase their levels of knowledge. Ways to build a positive feedback loop include; asking open ended questions and using the teach-back method.

Conduct a follow up with patients.

Follow-ups will help you reassess the patient’s previous communication, rectify misunderstanding, and adjust their treatment course. During this duration, patients can air their voices and offer possible improvements. This inclusion makes them feel like they own the health care, resulting in positive feedback. Follow-ups can be done in many forms, like calling to ask how the patients are fairing, scheduling follow-up visits, and writing or telephone surveys.

Medical communication forms an integral role in improving healthcare services in a given organization. Integrating techniques like evaluating your ways of communication, establishing feedback loops, and others, as earlier discussed, will lead to the success of any health organization.