Ten Principles of Good Interdisciplinary Team Work, Essay Example

Introduction

This paper discuses communication because it is important that effective communication exists between a nurse and patient. Three important communication features will be highlighted. They are principles of communication, methods of communication and ethical principles of communication. The purpose of this presentation is to gain deeper insights into the communication practices.

Principles of Communication

The seven basic principles of communication as endorsed by Piaget (2011) and colleagues encompasses mutual respect, which is shared interaction of giving value to each other for just being another human. Next are harmonized goals means choices must be aligned with those of the other person in communication. Thirdly is a supportive environment, which is functioning in a peaceful atmosphere. Fourth is having appropriate decision partners meaning that persons with whom communication is established must be compatible. Fifth is the right information meaning that whatever  details are being related must be correct. Sixth is transparency and full disclosure indicating that he communication must be one of integrity telling the whole story and seventh requires continuous learning whereby individuals seek to gather new information and ways of conducting projects (Paget, Han & Nedza, 2011).

I would apply mutual respect in valuing my patients’ decisions and expecting that the same is done to me. For example, when I go to serve the medication I would introduce myself and say what the medication is for. If he/she refuses the medication I am to value that decision. While encouraging the patient to take it I do not have to engage in an argument, but simply respect the decision. The second principle I would employ is supportive environment. When patients are hospitalized they are away from family and friends. The patient might not have a phone to call out. I could be supportive in showing or telling them how to use the hospital line. In harmonizing goals as an attending nurse, I would demonstrate this principle by asking the patient to offer ideas in creating his care plan for synchronicity of goals, the days I am attending.

Methods of Communication

Three methods being used to improve interdisciplinary communication are establishing astute leadership strategies, offering personal rewards for achievement and a supportive team climate. Leadership is key a principle used to enhancing interdisciplinary communication in any organization. Leadership principles are applied as a method for interdisciplinary communication. For example, a servant leader listens to staff above and below the leadership status. This type of leader expresses empathy and fosters team growth in the organization by allowing full expression of ideas through a democratic process. Embodying astute leadership models is offering personal rewards for achievement in the workplace. This method communicates appreciation and mutual respect. The third method is a supportive team climate. Teams are established as a communicative network. For teams to function principles of communication are designed to sustain the group integrity (Nancarrow,  Booth &  Ariss, 2013).

The method currently used for interdisciplinary communication is supportive team climate. In the clinical setting we function as teams rather than individuals.  A team is assigned to deliver care to a single patient. The registered nurse usually heads the team. The other category of health care persons  on her team should consist of a licensed practical nurse, a  certified nursing assistant and a patient care technician. The registered nurse duties are to collaborate activities with other members of the team offering assignments according to their scope of practice. There is a bottom up as well as top up line of communication. The top up is when the team leader offers updates on new order for the patient’s care and the bottom up relates to when team members beginning with thee patient care technician reports to the registered nurse outcomes of care rendered within his/her scope of practice. For example, the patient care technician may be assigned vitalsat the end of each session a report of all the patients’ assigned vitals is not only recorded, but reported to the team leader as well.

Ethical Principles and Communication

They are truthfulness, honesty, accuracy and reason. Truthfulness means relating and incident the way it occurred without any fabrication. Honesty means integrity or transparency in communication.  Healthcare workers within their scope of practice are not to hide valuable information from patients concerning his/her health. Accuracy means delivering information with all the essential details not deliberately leaving out any aspect. For example, not telling the patient why he/she should be on bed rest. Reason entails being sensitive to the patient’s emotional response to matter communicated in being tactful with the delivery of what might be considered bad news such as a serious change in the condition that might be fatal.

The importance of ethical communication understands how painful it is sharing a person’s information with persons who are not entitled to it, for example with friends and not the healthcare provider (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2013)

Conclusion

The foregoing response defined seven principles of communication, which nurses must always practice. Explanations of three principles and how they are expressed in clinical settings were offered. Astute leadership is a key method of enhancing interdisciplinary communication. Maintaining ethical communication allows healthcare workers acknowledge boundaries of interaction among peers and patients.

References

Burkhardt, M., & Nathaniel, A. (2013).  Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing. Cengage Learning

Nancarrow, S. Booth, A., &  Ariss, S. (2013). Ten principles of good interdisciplinary team work. Hum Resour Health. 11: 19

Paget, L. Han, H., & Nedza, S.( 2011).Patient-Clinician Communication: Basic Principles and Expectations. Discussion Paper