How has communication with patients changed?
The function of the organization, as well as its mission and vision
January 6, 2023How do you feel about changes you can’t control?
January 6, 2023How has communication with patients changed?
How has communication with patients changed? Provide examples.
The COVID-19 pandemic has added a myriad of challenges to the healthcare sector, leading
to rapid transformation in all healthcare settings. Communication is one factor that has changed
overnight from face-to-face to virtual interactions due to social distancing and isolation. In-
person encounters with patients and families have substantially minimized due to visitations
limitations caused by the pandemic (Biss, 2020). So, caregivers have been forced to resort to
other communication modes that might not be as effective as in-person conversations. For
instance, clinicians have to converse with patients remotely via phone calls or texts since patients
are discouraged from going to the hospital. Additionally, COVID-19 personal protective
equipment like masks and protective eyewear hampers communication. Voices behind masks are
maffled, increasing the risk of mishears that could lead to misunderstandings. Mask also prevent
patients with hearing challenges from reading their caregivers’ lips, making them resort to
writing that might be time-consuming.
• What are you doing to better communicate with patients?
To enhance communication with patients and families, I am leveraging technology. I
communicate with patients over the phone via text and calls frequently. For example, I would
text a day in advance to let the patient know that we would have a teleconference the following
day, which allows the patient to prepare early. Emails have also been beneficial in following up
on patients’ progress and giving instructions and reminders. I also use videoconferencing tools
like Zoom and Skype, depending on the patient’s preferences, to meet with patients and their
families (Hoyer, Ahatov & Ross, 2020).
• How has communication among the interprofessional team changed?
Communication among interprofessional teams, including physicians, nurses, nutritionists,
pharmacists, and social workers, has been significantly impaired due to the pandemic. Healthcare
