A mental health nurse (MHN) plays an important role in treating patients facing various challenges but also supports families and carers. Accordingly, good communication skills are among the primary competencies of such a specialist due to their scope of practice (Moyo et al., 2022). Communicating with patients, carers, and families is an influential process during which an MHN must consider the needs of all involved parties.
Interactions between people within a healthcare setting can be complex, and MHNs must act as mediators. Some communication-related barriers between the players of the treatment process include misunderstandings, language differences, and distinctions in familiarity with medical concepts (Kwame & Petrucka, 2021). For instance, patients encountering mental health issues report being ignored, judged, or concerned about disappointing their loved ones (Kokanović et al., 2018). Similarly, family members often feel that their needs are not taken seriously and that they are being excluded from the treatment process (Skärsäter et al., 2018). Therefore, when communicating with patients and families, MHNs must be active listeners who are empathetic and understanding of each person’s experiences (Horgan et al., 2020). Furthermore, when interacting with carers, MHNs should use recovery-oriented and strengths-based language (Barr et al., 2020). Contacts between those involved in the treatment require effort from MHNs to prevent mistakes.
To conclude, communicating with patients, carers, and families as a mental health nurse demands considering the needs of each individual. On the one hand, MHNs must be active, empathetic listeners with patients and their loved ones who frequently feel ignored and misunderstood. On the other hand, MHNs must act professionally with carers and communicate in a positive manner, assisting them in achieving favorable patient outcomes.
References
Barr, K. R., Jewell, M., Townsend, M. L., & Grenyer, B. F. (2020). Living with personality disorder and seeking mental health treatment: Patients and family members reflect on their experiences. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, 7(1), 1-11. Web.
Horgan, A., O Donovan, M., Manning, F., Doody, R., Savage, E., Dorrity, C., O’Sullivan, H., Goodwin, J., Greaney, S., Biering, P., Bjornsson, E., Bocking, J., Russel, S., Griffin, M., MacGabhann, L., van der Vaart, K., Allon, J., Granerud, A., Hals, E., … & Happell, B. (2020). ‘Meet me where I am’: Mental health service users’ perspectives on the desirable qualities of a mental health nurse. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 30(1), 136-147. Web.
Kokanović, R., Brophy, L., McSherry, B., Flore, J., Moeller-Saxone, K., & Herrman, H. (2018). Supported decision-making from the perspectives of mental health service users, family members supporting them and mental health practitioners. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(9), 826-833. Web.
Kwame, A., & Petrucka, P. M. (2021). A literature-based study of patient-centered care and communication in nurse-patient interactions: Barriers, facilitators, and the way forward. BMC Nursing, 20(1), 1-10. Web.
Moyo, N., Jones, M., & Gray, R. (2022). What are the core competencies of a mental health nurse? A concept mapping study involving five stakeholder groups. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 31(4), 933-951. Web.
Skärsäter, I., Keogh, B., Doyle, L., Ellilä, H., Jormfeldt, H., Lahti, M., Higgins, A., Meade, O., Sitvast, J., Stickley, T., & Kilkku, N. (2018). Advancing the knowledge, skills and attitudes of mental health nurses working with families and caregivers: a critical review of the literature. Nurse Education in Practice, 32, 138-146. Web.