Review article
Fundamental principles in communication with the patient
Jadranka Garmaz
orcid.org/0000-0002-5239-1985
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split
Zdenka Mrdeša-Rogulj
Abstract
Communication is the basis of all human relations; it
begins when one starts to communicate with oneself. Basically
the word communication (lat. communicare) means sharing,
interacting. Interaction is the true meaning of communication.
Communicating we share our thoughts, ideas, attitudes, feelings
and we always give a part of ourselves. Giving the patient our
words (information, data, instructions) we give him/her our
benevolence, kindness; we give love, and get self-esteem. For
the patient this giving is extremely important because in a state
of his illness he is extremely poor. The work consists of three
chapters. The first discusses the issue of communication in
general; the second briefly outlines some axioms and elements
of communication according to P. Watzlawick and R. C. Cohn;
the third deals with some fundamental principles in the doctor’s
communication with the patient. The method is descriptive,
and partly analytical. Communication with the patient is direct,
interpersonal communication, face to face conversation; the
doctor is required to have listening skills, speaking skills, to
show respect, honesty, to give a clear message, to listen and to
show understanding. Any successful communication, especially
communication with the patient, is based on the relationship
with the other, on trust that grows out of a good relationship, on
active listening as the most effective means of communication,
on the art/skill of speaking/conversation, on empathic understanding
and the word that has a special, comforting meaning
for the patient.
Keywords
communication; patient; relationship; empathy; principles of communication; theme-centred interaction (TCI); nonviolent communication
Hrčak ID:
112239
URI
Publication date:
17.12.2013.
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