[Therapeutic communication in Nursing: essential instrument of care]

Alexandra Carvalho Pontes1, Ilse Maria Tigre Arruda Leitão, Islane Costa Ramos

  • 1Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Departamento de Enfermagem, Fortaleza, CE.

The objective of the study was to analyze the process of therapeutic communication as developed by nurses who work in hospital units according to Peplau's theory. It is a descriptive-exploratory research accomplished in the period of October and November of 2006, of the Municipal district of Fortaleza, CE, Brazil in october and november, 2006. The participants of the study were 14 patients and 12 nurses, through a a semi-structured interview. Data were organized in thematic and discussed with literature review. Results demonstrated that since admission to hospital discharge, there is communication and interaction with a interpersonal relationship. Several times, however, that communication does not occur as it was supposed to, because nurse in her work does not priorize the visit to patients in her daily activities. Patients have difficulties to distinguish nurses from other health care professionals, which difficults the approach and development of therapeutic communication.

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Therapeutic Communication01:30

Therapeutic Communication

Communication is a lifelong learning process. Through therapeutic communication, nurses can collect relevant assessment data, provide education and counseling, and interact during nursing interventions. Sending and receiving messages occur through verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and can happen separately or simultaneously.
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch01:15

Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch

The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing01:23

Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

Focusing involves centering a conversation on a message's critical elements or concepts. Focusing is valuable if the talk is vague or patients begin to repeat themselves. Sometimes, when patients are asked about their symptoms, they may go off-topic and try to tell their entire life story. Respectfully, the nurse should bring the conversation back into focus.
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
Communication01:28

Communication

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Communication01:03

Communication

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Levels of Communication I: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Small Group01:29

Levels of Communication I: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Small Group

Interpersonal communication focuses on the exchange of messages between two people.
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