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Communication breakdown: Dealing with docs

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, February 12, 2007

Communication is the foundation of excellent patient care. Whether it is nurse-to-nurse, nurse-to-manager, nurse-to-patient, or nurse-to-physician, each form has a tremendous impact on healthcare everyday. What type of communication stresses you out most? Well, according to last week's poll on stressedoutnurses.com, nurse-to-physician communication is at the front of your minds. A whopping 64% stress most about dealing with docs, with nurse-to-manager communication running a distant second at 16%.

Here's a little snippet of help. This excerpt from HCPro's "Speak Your Truth: Proven Strategies for Effective Nurse-Physician Communication," by Kathleen Bartholomew, RN, MN, will provide some insight into this difficult issue . . .

Promoting effective nurse-to-physician communication can only be achieved if nurses address conflict and unite under a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behavior and verbal abuse. There are many strategies that staff nurses can adopt to foster better communication and collaboration between nurses and physicians:

1. Understand that the difference in your roles may cause confusion. Reinforce your role in patient care.
2. Education is key to gaining knowledge and respect. Further your education in any way possible-from pursuing a bachelor's degree to pursuing a master's degree.
3. Ask for what you want. If you feel strongly that the physician needs to see a patient, say so. You don't have to have a diagnosis because you are not the doctor.

For more strategies (plus a whole lot more!), please click here.

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