This morning, I stumbled upon a profound article on BBC News that left me deeply moved. Read it here.
The article highlights the shocking experience of a Chief Nurse who, armed with insider knowledge, recognized a concerning lapse in nursing practice. Her words struck a chord with me,
“For 40 years I’ve had the arrogance that nurses are the guardians of compassion and communication with patients – how wrong was I?”
This sentiment resonated with a senior nurse I spoke to recently during one of our advanced communication skills courses. She said,
“This course should be taught to all healthcare professionals before entering the clinical field. I have been there for 36 years. Better late than never!”
It’s alarming to learn that many healthcare professionals receive minimal communication skills training before entering their roles. How can we expect nurses, doctors, and allied healthcare professionals to excel if we don’t invest in their ability to communicate effectively?
Today, I had a heart warming conversation with a clinical physiologist who attended our course in June. She shared how her practice and leadership skills have dramatically improved. She now emphasizes listening, giving people space to express themselves, and empowering her team to learn and solve problems independently. Effective communication is essential, but we need help to learn how to do it better.
Another nurse I spoke to recounted an incredible moment when three patients thanked her for truly listening to them – a simple act that they hadn’t experienced before.
In these moments, my heart literally sings with joy. It’s proof that investing in communication skills can lead to transformative experiences for healthcare professionals and the patients they serve. Let’s continue to champion the power of effective communication in healthcare.
