COMM 277 Week 6 Assignment Template:Outline Final Draft

Name

Chamberlain University

COMM-277 Interpersonal Communication

Prof. Name

Date

Finding Confidence Through Patient Handoffs in the Emergency Setting

Presenter: Connor R. Hill
Audience: EMTs, Students, and New Healthcare Providers
School: Chamberlain University College of Nursing
Date: February 7th, 2021

General Topic: Verbal Communication
Specific Topic: Becoming more confident when delivering information to others
Thesis Statement: I aim to become more confident when presenting patient handoffs to other caregivers by addressing three areas of communication while working in emergency medicine.

Introduction

Effective communication is not just about sharing information but about ensuring that the message is conveyed and understood clearly. The general concept of communication involves the exchange of ideas. However, this concept differs from effective communication. A classic example of ineffective communication is the childhood game “telephone.” In this game, a message is whispered from person to person, often resulting in a final message that is significantly different from the original. This example highlights how communication can break down when clarity is lost.

Effective communication, on the other hand, involves asking clarifying questions and repeating messages to ensure understanding. This is particularly important in emergency medical settings, where accurate information is critical. In my experience as an EMT, I struggled with balancing the efficiency required in emergency care with the need for effective communication. Over time, I realized that I needed to improve my communication skills, especially in patient handoffs, to provide better care.

In this speech, I will share how I have worked to become more confident in presenting patient handoffs by focusing on three key areas: making eye contact, speaking clearly and concisely, and omitting unnecessary information.

Body

Main Point 1: Increase Eye Contact When Delivering Information

Eye contact is an essential component of communication. It establishes a connection between the speaker and the listener, enhancing the clarity and impact of the message. Knowing when, where, and how to use eye contact during patient handoffs is crucial. This involves being mindful of the situation and audience, as eye contact can convey confidence and professionalism. According to Kessler et al. (2015), eye contact is a critical part of effective communication in the emergency setting.

Main Point 2: Clearly and Concisely Articulate Information

Speaking clearly is essential to ensure the message is understood. This means focusing on articulation, enunciation, and the logical presentation of information. When delivering a report in a medical setting, it’s important to be mindful of where to stand and who to address. Techniques such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) can be helpful in structuring communication, as described by Shahid and Thomas (2018). Clear and concise articulation is vital in fast-paced environments like emergency departments (Troyer & Brady, 2020).

Main Point 3: Leave Out Unnecessary Information

Including irrelevant details can overwhelm the listener and obscure important information. Effective communication requires the ability to discern which details are essential and which can be omitted. Providing too much information can confuse the receiving caregiver and reduce the effectiveness of the handoff. Understanding the balance between providing enough detail and avoiding information overload is key to improving communication, as supported by Friesen et al. (2008).

Conclusion

As caregivers, we are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of our patients, and effective communication plays a critical role in fulfilling this duty. By focusing on three key aspects—eye contact, clear articulation, and eliminating unnecessary information—healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, foster stronger professional relationships, and reduce healthcare costs. If we are mindful of these three elements, we can replace mere communication with effective communication, resulting in better patient care.

Table: Key Aspects of Effective Patient Handoffs

Key Aspect	Importance	Techniques/References
Eye Contact	Establishes connection, conveys confidence and professionalism	Be mindful of when and where to use eye contact (Kessler et al.)
Clear and Concise Articulation	Ensures message is understood, avoids confusion	Use techniques like SBAR (Shahid & Thomas, 2018); focus on enunciation
Omitting Unnecessary Information	Prevents information overload, keeps the message focused	Balance necessary and unnecessary details (Friesen et al., 2008)

References

Choosing Wisely Canada. (n.d.). More is not always better [Image of a hotdog with too much mustard]. Choosing Wisely Canada. https://choosingwiselycanada.org/campaign/more-is-not-always-better/.

Friesen, M. A., White, S. V., & Byers, J. F. (2008). Handoffs: Implications for nurses. In Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Kessler, C., Tadisina, K., Saks, M., Franzen, D., Woods, R., Banh, K., … Schwartz, A. (2015). The 5Cs of consultation: Training medical students to communicate effectively in the emergency department. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 49(5), 713–721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2015.05.012

Kolleshi, A., & Kiess, C. (2020). Designing for the “new normal” in healthcare [Image of eyes behind a mask]. UX Collective. https://uxdesign.cc/designing-for-the-new-normal-in-healthcare-7f5c57faed87.

Leonardo. (2020). [Image of two triangles]. Top-down or bottom-up? Leonardo’s Blog. https://blog.chiariglione.org/top-down-or-bottom-up/.

COMM 277 Week 6 Assignment Template:Outline Final Draft

Shahid, S., & Thomas, S. (2018). SBAR communication tool for handoff in healthcare: A narrative review. Safety in Health, 4(7). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40886-018-0073-1

Troyer, L., & Brady, W. (2020). Barriers to effective EMS to emergency department information transfer at patient handover: A systematic review. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 38(7), 1494–1503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2020.04.036

Watts, M. (2016). 5 keys of effective communication in the workplace [Image of effective communication]. Independence Plus. https://www.independenceplus.com/5-keys-of-effective-communication-in-the-workplace/

WikiHow. (2020). How to play the telephone game [Image of boys playing “rumor” variation]. https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Telephone-Game