Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
14:32
Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Talking openly: using '6D cards' to facilitate holistic, patient-led communication
Julia Neufeind1, Margaret Hannah
1Playfield Institute (NHS Fife), Stratheden Hospital, Cupar, Fife KY15 5RR, UK. julia.neufeind@nhs.net
Summary
The 6D Cards communication tool significantly increased patient-raised issues in consultations. Patients found the cards acceptable, suggesting their utility for broader health discussions.
Area of Science:
- Health communication
- Patient engagement
- Medical consultation effectiveness
Background:
- Effective communication is crucial in healthcare settings.
- Holistic patient-centered care requires addressing a wide range of patient concerns.
- Existing communication methods may not always facilitate comprehensive patient disclosure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the '6D Cards' in promoting patient-led communication.
- To assess the acceptability of the '6D Cards' among patients.
- To determine if the tool facilitates discussion of broader health issues.
Main Methods:
- A between-subjects study design was used with random allocation.
- Patients used either the '6D Cards' or standard consultation processes.
- Outcome measures included issues raised and a post-consultation acceptability questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Patients utilizing the '6D Cards' raised significantly more issues compared to the control group.
- The '6D Cards' demonstrated high acceptability among all participating patients.
- No significant concerns were reported regarding the cards' usability or impact.
Conclusions:
- The '6D Cards' serve as an effective communication aid in medical consultations.
- The tool empowers patients to voice a wider range of concerns.
- Implementation of the '6D Cards' can enhance holistic patient-centered communication.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Techniques 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...
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...
01:23Techniques 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...
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
01:28Communication
Sharing information, concepts, and emotions to foster mutual understanding is communication. The sender, recipient, and transaction must be considered in this manner. The sender is the person who shares the message, the recipient is the person who receives and understands the message, and the transaction is the method used to deliver the message and the variables that affect the communication's context and surroundings. The nurse-client connection is built on therapeutic communication.
Within...
Within...
01:30Therapeutic 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...
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities