¿Cómo puede ayudar a los pacientes a sentirse cómodos pidiendo ayuda?

Make sure if you said you would do something for the patient you do it. If you can’t find take care of the issue, find out who can and ask them to follow up on request. Report back to patient that you were unable to help them, but you found the person that can. Tell the patient you contacted that individual and that the person will follow up with them. Provide patient with the name and contact info. of the individual that can help them. Also tell the patient you will follow up with them to see if the matter was taken care of. Give the patient a time and date that you will follow up with them.

As a bedside nurse I always introduce myself and my duties at the beginning of each shift. I want to establish a trusting, respectful and professional relationship with the patient. I make it a point to get down to the patients level and listen to their concerns with empathy and understanding. I always acknowledge their worries and concerns. I inform them I will help them find the answers to their questions by making it a team effort. I involve the patient and their family in their care plan it helps alleviate fears and anxiety about the Hospitalization. Patient can sense my commitment and passionate care, comes from the heart. They trust that I will take care of their needs, they feel comfortable asking questions, it's a team effort.

I empower my patients through encouraging them to make their own choices in their daily life and within their care plan. When patients live with a chronic disease or have a hospitalization, many times their personal power is shifted or taken away. Its important to educate patients on their choices- choice in their care, their environment, their lifestyle, choice in the simplest of decisions. A nurse must listen with intent, ask open ended questions and reinforce an atmosphere of complete safety when patients are vulnerable.

I always introduce myself, open up my body language to make the patient feel open as well. I speak in a soft calm Voice and begin by asking question of what are some things that he /she likes to do to calm themselves down or that foods that bring them comfort . I provide them a journal and ask if they would feel comfortable writing their thoughts , concerns, fears, or questions in the journal so that at our next meeting we can address them and it will help avoid things being forgotten. I do what I say I’m going to do—- this is the biggest trust builder of all. If I tell them that I will check on them in the morning then I make sure that I visit them in the morning as promised sometimes bring afavorite snack that they shared with me .

Helping patients feel comfortable asking for help and maximizing advocacy services involves creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Here are some tips to consider: Build Trust: Establish a strong rapport with your patients by demonstrating empathy, active listening, and understanding. Normalize Seeking Help: Educate your patients about the importance of seeking help for mental health concerns. Explain that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Offer clear and comprehensive information about your advocacy services, including what they can expect during the process. Involve patients in their care decisions. Discuss treatment options, goals, and plans together, ensuring that they feel empowered and in control.

Particularly when working with the geriatric population, I always take time to tell my patients that their requests are not an inconvenience to me. Too often, patients will avoid asking for help because they don't want to bother or interrupt their caregivers. The standard must be set early on that they are not a bother and that their needs are of great interest to their caregiver.

Mrs. Adams (note: fictional name) was an elderly woman who was struggling to understand her treatment plan and express her concerns to her healthcare team. As a bedside caregiver, I explained to her that my role was to advocate for her and ensure her voice was heard. I made it clear that while I couldn't make medical decisions for her, I was there to support her in gathering information and communicating her preferences. It was important for her to know that she wasn't alone in navigating the healthcare system. With this understanding, Mrs. Adams felt more comfortable asking for help and actively participating in her care decisions.

I have worked in healthcare for about 30 years. First and foremost: first impression is everything. Body language comes first, before you start speaking. Never stand taller dominating your patient - lower yourself to them. Speak clearly, introduce yourself. Be genuine, do NOT promise things you will not deliver. Build a relationship based on trust. You will love it.

Patients don’t always understand who’s who on the healthcare team and what we each do. Being clear with patients aboit your role and responsibilities can encourage them to open up and seek answers to their questions.

One thing I found helpful is to go to their rooms first and take care of all their needs. It seemed to make them feel safer and important, which they are

I remember a young patient named Amy (note: fictional name) who was diagnosed with a chronic illness that required frequent medical interventions. She had always been independent and prided herself on being self-reliant. However, as her condition progressed, she found herself needing more assistance and felt reluctant to ask for it. I respected her autonomy by acknowledging her desire for independence while also highlighting the importance of accepting support when necessary. I reminded her that asking for help didn't make her weak but showcased her strength in recognizing her limitations. By framing it as a choice rather than a weakness, Amy felt more comfortable reaching out for assistance and accepting the care she needed.

One thing I have found useful and true is that patients need someone to listen to them, to respect them enough to ask, answer, explain, and communicate. Listening is a skill of actively recognising that what you are being told is important to the person. The next important step is acknowledgment of what they are saying. Listen when the patient says "I can do it...", "I've got it thanks..", "could you check for me..." etc. Listen incudes verbal cues and visual cues. The more you pick up on it, the more respected and less vulnerable the patient feels. This will lead to achieving more work your patient.

Just as important as positive reinforcement is acknowledging their difficulties. Not dismissing their very real emotional struggles along their journey. Because some days will be difficult and just because they may feel like giving up doesn’t mean they will. I think taking a moment to just be present in that moment and acknowledge how difficult it is has a tremendous effect and builds trust.

Patients need validation of both their concerns and fears and their successes and gains. We can reinforce the value of their curiosity and acknowledge the ways in which they’re in control. Being a patient can feel like total loss of control, so giving patients a sense that they have a say in their care can foster independence and a mutuality between patient and provider.

Mr. Roberts (note: fictional name) was a patient recovering from a serious accident, and he often felt discouraged during his long and challenging journey. As his bedside caregiver, I made sure to provide him with positive reinforcement and support. Each day, I celebrated even the smallest milestones he achieved and reminded him of his progress. I would say, "Mr. Roberts, your determination is incredible. Keep pushing forward, and remember how far you've come." By constantly highlighting his resilience and applauding his efforts, he began to believe in himself more. This boost in confidence made him more willing to ask for help when he needed it, knowing he had a support system cheering him on.

Providing positive reinforcement and support to patients has shown to have transformative impact on their overall well-being and treatment outcomes. In my daily practice providing psychiatric care to patients, I have observed that positive reinforcement has improved medication compliance, increased patient motivation, self-efficacy, emotional well-being, and fosters a strong patient-provider therapeutic relationship. Applying positive reinforcement and support in daily practice, healthcare professionals can always empower patients to actively participate in their own care, which leads to better health outcomes and improved patient satisfaction. Jasmine Elia October 7, 2023

Mrs. Ramirez (note: fictional name) had multiple healthcare providers, appointments, and medications, which could be overwhelming. As her bedside caregiver, I made it a point to follow up with her regularly. I checked in to see if she had any questions, concerns, or needed updates on her care plan. I wanted to show her that I was committed to her well-being. Mrs. Ramirez felt supported and valued, knowing that someone was looking out for her. This consistent communication and dedication fostered a trusting relationship. She became more comfortable asking for help, knowing that I would follow through and ensure her needs were met.

Following through with what you say you will do is vitally important. It's a matter of whether you can walk the walk or just talk the talk! Patients may reach out to you with a question or request, and you can satisfy them in the moment with listening, reassurance and a promise to sort it out for them, but if you don't follow through with the promised action, this could be even more damaging for the therapeutic relationship. They may feel they can't trust your word, or decide it's not worth reaching out next time at all. If their request is something you can't sort for them, tell them, and find someone who can rather than making a promise you can't keep.

Use simple, clear language to ensure patients understand and feel empowered to ask questions. Allocate sufficient time for each appointment, avoiding the constraints of rushed 20-minute slots. Ensure patients know whom to contact and how, should they have questions or concerns later. By giving patients ample time and attention, healthcare professionals can build trust, encouraging open communication and making it easier for patients to seek assistance.