Mental/Emotional Support
According to Stanford Medical Hospital, research indicated that when patients are comfortable and have friends and relatives involved with their care, their clinical outcomes tend to improve. Mental and emotional support is vital for the care of an emotionally stressed patient.
In your role as a certified nurse’s assistant, you will often act as a conduit between the patient and the family. When family or visitors arrive to see the patient, help create an open atmosphere where family and friends can comfortably visit with the patient.
For example, grab an extra chair if necessary. Open the blinds to light up the room if the patient desires. In these circumstances, it’s the little things that often go a long way. Remember that for some people, hospitals and the healthcare environment in general can sometimes be intimidating. Do your best to soften the atmosphere.
Moreover, for some patients who don’t have any family or visitors, you and the other medical staff may be their only contact. In these circumstances, just taking the time to talk to the patient may be that little bit of extra support that helps get them through the day.
Understanding Human Emotions
The quality of physical care is important for your patient, but a qualified nurse’s assistant will also remember not to overlook the opportunity to maintain a positive bedside manner. While many doctors are focused on treating the condition and symptoms of the patient, it’s up to you to help provide a source of emotional support for them.
Patients in the medical setting will often go through a wide array of human emotions. Coping with injury, pain and illness can cause frustration, fear and stress. Knowing how to handle these basic human emotions can make your job a lot easier.
Coping Strategies
In healthcare settings, patients are confronted with a myriad of issues that can cause frustration. You will often be at the front line of their complaints and concerns. These concerns, no matter how big or small, are often heightened when a patient is hospitalized or in a setting in which they have no control.
An effective method to help calm the patient down is to let them voice their concerns while you listen. This is known as active listening. In this capacity, you will often act as the messenger who relays their concerns and complaints to the nursing staff.
You will certainly have days that you may be tired or aren’t feeling up to par. That’s only normal, but remember to always stay calm yourself. Getting mad will only escalate any potential negative emotion or situation. Displaying a calm and positive demeanor at all times will help to reassure the patient and will also lessen any of their anxieties or fears.
Rapport Building
When you take the time to build rapport with the patient, it will have the natural effect of increasing their trust with you. This will be extremely beneficial in your ongoing relationship with them.
Along with active listening, there are other techniques that will help you build rapport. Always be reliable; if you tell your patient that you’re going to do something, stick to your promise and deliver.
You can still set boundaries for unreasonable requests by gently explaining to the patient the proper procedure. A polite refusal is better than an unfulfilled promise.
Furthermore, when appropriate, use humor to help break the ice. This technique may be more suitable after you have already laid the groundwork for effective rapport with your patient.
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