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What Is Therapeutic Communication?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Therapeutic communication is the establishment of a connection between a patient and a care provider. It is a key component of health care delivery, used to ensure that patients understand their conditions and recommended courses of treatment. Patients also tend to be feel more comfortable when they feel supported and attended to by the people around them. This can create a trusting relationship, which may lead to more open discussion on the part of the patient, including disclosures of symptoms that may be of concern for the medical team.

Health care providers learn about the fundamentals of therapeutic communication in training and have an opportunity to practice in clinical skills labs. Sometimes referred to as “bedside manner,” communication involves consciously thinking about word choices, body language, tone, and other signals. Care providers who are brusque or appear judgmental are less likely to establish trust. Others may not feel supportive if they seem edgy, nervous, or worried. Someone who communicates calmly and effectively can make a patient feel comfortable and relaxed.

Therapeutic communication is referred to as bedside manner.
Therapeutic communication is referred to as bedside manner.

This process can start early, as the care provider connects with the patient and learns more about preferred communication style. Hospital and clinic environments are often intimidating for patients, and they can be put at ease by a friendly health care professional. Skilled therapeutic communication can be used to extract important information, talk to patients about the situation, and work with patients on treatment. Talking is one form of communication, but care providers can also act as observers, watching for body language and other warning signs, like a patient who appears reluctant to discuss a particular topic.

Therapeutic communication can be especially important when a large care team is working together to assist a single patient.
Therapeutic communication can be especially important when a large care team is working together to assist a single patient.

Another issue with therapeutic communication can be patients who are unable to communicate verbally, or who might have trouble hearing. Care providers may work with hearing impaired patients, people with brain injuries, and other people who may not be able to communicate in a style that is familiar for the clinician. This can require adaptations, like working with an interpreter or using a communication board. If someone can adapt quickly to establish communication with a patient, this can increase the patient’s sense of value and self-worth; someone with a brain injury, for instance, might open up to a nurse who is willing to meet on the patient’s own terms.

One issue with therapeutic communication is being able to communicate with patients who have trouble hearing.
One issue with therapeutic communication is being able to communicate with patients who have trouble hearing.

Refining therapeutic communication skills can be an ongoing process. As people acquire experience with different patients and communication styles, they can apply this to patient care in new environments. Workshops and seminars are available to help working care providers improve their communication skills for better patient care.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ysmina

@bear78-- That hasn't been my experience at all.

I had an angiogram last week and the therapeutic communication with my doctor and nurse were excellent. They were very caring and supportive. I was described the procedure in detail beforehand and assured throughout that all was well. I was also given great care afterward.

I was very nervous before the procedure, but the calm attitude of my doctor was very calming and assuring.

bear78

Based on my experiences with medical personnel, I think that therapeutic communication is not being emphasized enough while training health care providers. It could be the case that I happened to have negative experiences, but there were quite a few instances when my care provider did not communicate very much with me.

stoneMason

Bedside manner is very important. We all pick up certain messages from the way people speak or their body language. For someone who is very ill and worried, seeing a doctor or other medical professional who is also worried or irritable, can send the wrong message. The patient may think that the doctor doesn't care for them or that their condition is very serious and worsening.

I think it's important for doctors and nurses to be calm, kind and responsive to their patients. This is not just to establish a good relationship, but also to make sure that the patient remains calm and positive, and recovers quickly.

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    • Therapeutic communication is referred to as bedside manner.
      By: michaeljung
      Therapeutic communication is referred to as bedside manner.
    • Therapeutic communication can be especially important when a large care team is working together to assist a single patient.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Therapeutic communication can be especially important when a large care team is working together to assist a single patient.
    • One issue with therapeutic communication is being able to communicate with patients who have trouble hearing.
      By: slasnyi
      One issue with therapeutic communication is being able to communicate with patients who have trouble hearing.
    • Therapeutic communication can help couples work through their differences.
      By: Mat Hayward
      Therapeutic communication can help couples work through their differences.