Don’t just sit there!
Nonverbal Communication as a Form of Speech
Body language is one of the most important telltales of expression. We sit, stand, stare, and gesture based on what we are feeling and trying to relay to others. Oftentimes this says more than words ever could. Some studies show that only 20-30% of overall communication involves speech.
In nursing, the focus is all on the patient. Questions may get redundant, such as, How are you feeling? Do you need anything? How has your experience been so far? Nurse leadership begs the question: How do we get accurate feedback from patients when it matters the most?
With a focus on meaningful patient engagement, increasing satisfaction, and improving outcomes, it’s necessary to take it back to the very basics. What is your body language communicating, and how can you improve it to better “speak” to your audience?
Staying Engaged with Nonverbal Communication
In healthcare settings, burnout has proven to be a very real pandemic in and of itself. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, essential workers have worked long, tireless hours with often little rest, witnessing the worst realities of this time. So, how do we stay engaged and patient-centered with our non-verbal communication? Situational Awareness, Proximity, Position, & Posture
It’s important to note that due to social distancing regulations, it may not be possible to be as physically close to the patients when rounding as you’d like. With that being said, it’s okay to modify the following information to fit these requirements while still staying personable.
Enhances Mutual Respect
When doing nurse leader rounding, it’s important to remember that the patient is the spokesperson. Good nonverbal communication should ideally convey mutual respect and comfort.
1. Situational Awareness
The first step is situational awareness. You have to be aware of your surroundings, biases, movements, and any other feelings you may have before stepping into the room. Once you’re aware of your surroundings, you can walk into any situation and recognize what your goals are with a clearer mind.
2. Proximity
Next, it’s important to get close to the patient. Nobody wants to talk to someone from a room away, often making for hard-to-hear conversations and statements lost in translation. Plus, nobody ever wants to hear “What was that again?”. That’s why, whenever possible, get as close as you can to where the conversation feels “natural” in volume and proximity. Try to stay at the head of the bed as opposed to the foot of the bed, and use your amazing active listening skills!
3. Position
Your position, or stance, while doing nurse leader rounding even has an impact on the openness of the patient. In a study published in the Patient Experience Journal, nurse leaders developed a “commit to sit” initiative to improve communication between nurses and patients. The outcome of the study determined that sitting down during nurse leader rounding had a great impact on patient satisfaction. Try to be at the same “eye-level” as your patients and sit down when appropriate to signal that you’re ready to have a meaningful conversation.
4. Posture
Lastly, it is important to focus on posture. Whether you are standing or seated, try to face
the patient “heart to heart,” lean in, and nod your head. Although simple, this demonstrates that you are listening carefully.
Conclusion
The last thing any patient wants to feel is alienation during this engagement. Seyzo Health’s digital rounding solution removes the barrier of turning your back to type notes into a computer, often making patients feel ignored or unimportant. Now that you’re ready ask away. Put your focus back into patient engagement and feel human again- don’t just stand there!
