Conversation of Bill (dirty pyjamas and darkening beard) and district nurse (navy blue tunic with white piping, navy trousers) sitting together on settee.
Bill with speech bubble “There will be no decision about me without me…”
DN: What makes you say that Bill?
Bill: I’m done.
DN: Tell me a bit more about why you are feeling done.
Bill: I’m really tired, I can’t breathe, I haven’t slept and I can’t do anything.
DN: How long have you felt like this?
Bill: Since coming home from hospital.
DN: Bill you are experiencing lots of symptoms. What symptom is most troublesome for you that you would like some help with?
Bill: Help me get a breath and a wash.
DN: Ok Bill, let me help you get a wash and changed into some clean pyjamas.
DN: I am really sorry I can’t do anything about your breathlessness just now but I will go back to the surgery and speak to your GP who will be in touch with you later today.
Pulse point
The following resources may be useful when considering communication skills.
Communication Resources:
- Cragan J F (2010) Communication in Small Groups: Theory, Process and Skills (6th revised edition). Wandsworth Publishing Co Inc, UK.
- Donnelly E, Neville L, Bailley J (2008) Communication and Interpersonal Skills. Reflect Press, UK.
- Fallowfield, L.J., Jenkins, V.A. & Beveridge, H.A. 2002, Truth may hurt but deceit hurts more: communication in palliative care, Palliative medicine, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 297-303.
- Fussell S R (2002) The Verbal Communication of Emotions, Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc, USA.
- Gunaratham Y, Oliviere D (eds) (2009) Narrative and Stories in Health Care. Illness, dying and bereavement. Oxford University Press.
- Kopronska J (2010) Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Social Work. Learning Matter Ltd, Learning Matters.
- Lumsden G, Lumsden D (2003) Communicating in Groups and Teams, Sharing Perspectives. Wandsworth Publishing Co Inc, UK.
- Maguire P, Pitceathly C (2002) Key communication skills and how to acquire them. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed), vol. 325, no. 7366, pp. 697-700.
- Millar V, Marran G (2008) Communication Skills for Health Care Professionals: Concepts, Practice and Evidence (2nd edition). Jones and Barnett Publisher Inc.
- Moss B (2005) Communication Skills for Health and Social Care. Sage Publications, UK.
- Pease A, Pease B (2006) The definitive book of body language. Bantam Books, Orion Books Ltd UK.
- Reader A (2003) Communication Relationships and Care. Routledge, London.
- Washer P (2009) Clinical Communication Skills. Oxford University Press.
Communication Links:
Page last reviewed: 28 Jul 2020
