COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT

Many patients with cancer suffer from psychological distress

(Greer et al 1992, Hopwood et al 1991)

Several studies have demonstrated that health professionals trained in communication skills can ameliorate patients psychological distress.

Good communication consists of the ability to assess the patient’s communication needs and tailor

communication to these needs while maintaining realistic hope.

( Wilkinson 1999)

(Koopmeiners et al 1997)

Investigated behaviors of health professional that influence patients’ hope.

Communication Challenges in Palliative Care

(Benjamin 1981)

Emphasized the necessity of congruence b/w verbal and non-verbal communication in effective

counseling.

N O N V E R B A L

Speaking about the insight gained through the use of video during counseling training sessions .

Video programme ( video interactive guidance) used to improved communication skills in children and families.

Non-verbal communication such as joint gaze and the use of gesture have been found important in construction of

meaning. ( Beimans 1990)

Non verbal communications carries four times the weight of verbal communications.

(Henley 1973)

Three Major Themes Emerged From PERRY’s 1996 study of exemplary oncology nurses in study

Dialogue in silence- messages that were difficult or even impossible to speak were sent from to patient and patient to

nurse in silence.

Mutual touch- sometimes this was non physical, as when nurses were skilled at encircling a patient by having an arm just behind the patient back or around the patients shoulder.

- Sometimes , eye contact was combined with touch to provide a potent communication medium.

Humor - a light- hearted attitude, common among the skilled nurses in the study.

-nurses chose most of the time to see the positive, humorous side situations for the benefit of both themselves and their patients.