Trouble Spots and Strategies for Dealing With Nurse-Doctor Communication Problems

Communication: Effective resolution of nurse-doctor problems

Nurse-doctor communication can seem to be almost perfect at times, while at other times, there may be evidence of trouble spots. There are numerous, strategies for the effective resolution of nurse-doctor communication problems.

Some of these may include the following:

The process of communication:

Communication between nurses and doctors is an ongoing, dynamic process, that nurses and doctors may not be aware of, at least not all of the time. In other words, while they may be alert to the reality of the actual verbal communication that is taking place, they may not be aware of what is happening in the process of communication. This can be a potential trouble spot for nurse-doctor communication and may need to be rectified in order to improve communication.

For example, when there is verbal communication between a nurse and a doctor, non-verbal communication may be taking place, as well.

Is the non-verbal communication appropriate and professional? If it is not, then there may be a communication problem. Addressing this concern appropriately, will lead to the effective resolution of the communication problem.

The message, the sender and the receiver:

In nurse-doctor communications, there is a message initiated and sent by a sender, who in this case, would be the nurse. The same message should be the one that is received by the receiver, who in this case, would be the doctor. There can be problems in communication that involve the message, the sender or the receiver.

Consider this example. 

A message initiated by a new registered nurse is not sent to a doctor in a proper or professional manner. When the doctor receives the message, he or she questions its reliability, its source and its method of delivery. He chooses not to respond to it. Another nurse recognizes the problem and re-sends the message properly.

It is always important to identify this kind of trouble spot in communication, in order to prevent a recurrence of the same problem. When the nurse sends an appropriate message to a doctor and sends it correctly, this kind of communication problem is resolved.

One to one communication:

One-to-one communication between nurses and doctors is not always easy and can become potentially volatile. Emotions of both the nurse and doctor must be recognized and acknowledged as being potential trouble spots in communication.

For example, one strong emotion is fear. Fear of the doctor might result in the nurse being or feeling humiliated by the doctor. As a result, the nurse may become angry and defensive or may express animosity in terms of open aggression or concealed depression.

Identifying potentially negative, emotional triggers in nurse-doctor communications is important. This will help to prevent and avert situations between nurses and doctors that may prove difficult or almost impossible to resolve.

Group communication:

Group communication involving nurses and doctors often presents a potential trouble spot with regard to nurse-doctor relationships, communication and interaction.

For example, a medical doctor may be addressing a large audience of medical personnel, on a level that a new registered nurse may be unfamiliar with, in terms of medical and health care content or presentation methodology. While desiring to be an active participant in this group, the nurse may not be able to communicate with the doctor on an appropriate or professional level.

Potential trouble spots in communication should be recognized, acknowledged and dealt with immediately. At times, they may go unnoticed or be disregarded by the doctor in question, for the sake of the larger group.

At other times, effective resolution may be the result of third party intervention. For instance, a nurse instructor may become involved in the communication.

Medical-academic communication:

Medical-academic communication often presents different languages and different worlds of discovery to new registered nurses. Medical language can be extremely complex. Add to that, languages used by other cultures, as well as the introduction of new terminology in research.

Comprehending or responding to what is stated by a doctor can be difficult, particularly for new registered nurses, who are struggling to communicate with doctors effectively. Even more experienced registered nurses may have difficulty communicating with them, at times.

Most doctors are aware of this area of concern and will take time to explain what they are saying or teaching. Doing so will help to resolve these kinds of communication problems.

The onus is often on the nurse to approach the doctor when there is a problem in communication. It is also advisable for registered nurses to do advanced research on a regular basis, particularly when a potential communication problem is evident.

Nurses and doctors can identify, prevent and resolve many trouble spots in communication. At times, this may require ethical directives, changes in protocol, as well as increased professionalism.

Mutual care, compassion and concern are central in the strategy for effective resolution of communication issues and concerns between nurses and doctors.