Communication skills - teamwork

What is communication?

Merriam-Webster (2022) defines communication as a common system of information exchange and different ways in which that information can be conveyed. There are multiple opportunities where people interact and provide patient care (O’Daniel and Rosenstein, 2008). Lack of communication creates situations where errors can occur, which may result in serious risk to life.

Collaboration in healthcare involves working together to formulate and carry out plans, ensuring that with effective teamwork there is trust and respect.

Strategies such as the NHS Long Term Plan (2019) and the NHS England 5 Year Forward View Next Steps (2017) involves person-centred care. These plans recommend the need for teamwork and NHS staff at the forefront for empowering and improving patient safety through clinical efficiency.

How do nurses communicate?

Often people assume that what has been communicated has been understood (Alston, 2020). Hull (2016) highlights that communication is an art and requires skill. Good communication is essential and its effectiveness relies on the understanding between the people who are communicating (Kourkouta and Papathanasiou, 2014).

What makes a good communicator?

What can we do?

It is important to consider the professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses (also known as ‘the code’) (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2018). These include methods of communicating effectively and working in a team, such as:

• working in partnership with people to effectively deliver care
• using terms that people in your care, colleagues and the public can understand
• respecting the skills, expertise and contributions of colleagues, referring matters to them when appropriate
• maintaining effective communication with colleagues
• keeping colleagues informed when you are sharing the care of individuals with other health and care professionals and staff
• working with colleagues to evaluate the quality of your work and that of the team
• working with colleagues to preserve the safety of those receiving care
• providing honest, accurate and constructive feedback to colleagues (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2018).

Furthermore

It is also important to learn from the failings

References

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Baska M. Poor teamwork can have serious consequences. 2019 https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1744159/poor-teamwork-serious-consequences (accessed 7 November 2022)

Cordis Bright. What are the key factors for successful multidisciplinary team working? Integrate health and social care reviews. 2018. https://www.cordisbright.co.uk/admin/resources/05-hsc-evidence-reviews-multidisciplinary-team-working.pdf (accessed 28 March 2022)

Edinger S. Three elements of great communication according to Aristotle. 2013. https://hbr.org/2013/01/three-elements-of-great-communication-according (accessed 28 March 2022)

Firth-Cozens J. Multidisciplinary teamwork: the good, bad and everything in between. Qual Health Care. 20011;10(2):65-6 1. https://doi.org/10.1136/qhc.10.2.65

Francis R. Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS foundation trust public inquiry executive summary. 2013. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/279124/0947.pdf (accessed 28 March 2022)

Hardie P, Darley A, Redmond C et al. Interpersonal and communication skills development in nursing preceptorship education and training programmes: a scoping review protocol. HRB Open Res. 2021;4:9. https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13201.2

Hiller A, Guillemin M, Delany C. Exploring healthcare communication models in private physiotherapy practice. Patient Educ