How to Facilitate Positive Interactions with Patients and Families

Pediatric Home Care Nurses have the responsibility of facilitating positive interactions with their patients and their families so they can provide high-quality medical care. There are many techniques nurses can use to create a happy and supportive environment. 

Speak to Patients on their Level 

As a Pediatric Home Care Nurse, it’s important that patients feel comfortable talking to you and that they know you are on their side. One way to practice this is by getting on their level physically. Pediatric patients will naturally be smaller than you, so standing over them could make them feel nervous or intimidated. If you kneel or bend down towards them you will be able to speak to them at eye level, which can help make a child feel more comfortable.

Understand and Value the Families’ Expertise 

While parents and family members might not be in the medical field, they know them best. They will know your patient’s previous medical history, their level of pain and discomfort, and their likes and dislikes. Pediatric Home Care Nurses should encourage parents or caregivers to offer insights into their child and ask questions about their care. By opening up a conversation, you are showing the family that you value them, which helps build trust. 

Study Up on Your Patient’s Age Group

One of the most valuable ways to facilitate positive interactions is by connecting with your patient. Positive connections can be formed by finding a common ground. Do some research on the age group of your patient. Is there a topic, game, or TV show that is really popular for that age? Maybe they watch Bluey, enjoy coloring, play video games, or love listening to Taylor Swift. When you bring up a topic they are interested in, you can help bring their guard down, which will help strengthen your relationship.

Engage in Empathetic Listening

Empathetic listening is a type of listening that involves understanding the other person’s perspective and feelings. When you listen to family members and their struggles, you are allowing them to be open, which can help build trust. To be a successful empathetic listener, nurses should make sure the conversation is happening in a safe environment, be attentive to the tone and posture of the speaker, and allow them the space to share their feelings, even if they are difficult.  

Get Your Patients Involved

Let your patients be involved in their medical care, so they have a better understanding of what is happening. This can be done through medical play, where pediatric nurses will demonstrate to the patient the specific procedure they will perform. For example, a nurse might use dolls or stuffed animals to show medical procedures and offer toy medical kits where the children will learn about different medical tools. This can help put the patient at ease.

Thrive SPC dedicates its time to creating positive relationships between nurses, patients, and their families. Learn more about our commitment to using the brightest minds, the best technology, and the biggest hearts to fulfill our purpose: to provide high-quality clinical home care to medically fragile children so they can grow and flourish to their full potential.