Do's and Don'ts for Good Communication with a Patient

Health professionals choose to become caregivers out of desire to help people, but sometimes those “people skills” are among the hardest to learn, especially when there is a cultural difference between you and the patient.  Here are a few examples of common problems caregivers (both new and experienced) sometimes have in communicating effectively with patients.  Try to see if you recognize yourself in any of these examples, and then look at the alternative behaviors and habits that are suggested.

• Eye Contact
• Appropriate Touching
• Patient-Friendly Language

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