COMM 277 Week 6 Assignment Template:Outline Final Draft

COMM 277 Week 6 Assignment Template:Outline Final Draft

Student 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: Building Confidence in Delivering Patient Information
Thesis Statement: This presentation explores strategies to improve confidence in performing patient handoffs by focusing on three critical areas of communication in emergency medical settings.

Introduction

Effective communication is more than simply exchanging information—it is about ensuring that the message is accurately received and understood. While general communication involves sharing ideas, effective communication requires deliberate strategies to avoid misunderstandings. A classic example of ineffective communication is the childhood game “telephone,” where a message whispered from person to person often becomes distorted by the time it reaches the last participant (WikiHow, 2020). This illustrates how easily communication can break down without clarity.

In emergency medical contexts, clear communication is essential, as miscommunication can compromise patient safety. As an EMT, I initially struggled to balance the fast-paced demands of emergency care with the need to communicate effectively. Recognizing this, I have focused on improving my patient handoff skills to enhance both my confidence and the quality of care provided.

This presentation highlights three key strategies that have helped me become more confident in delivering patient handoffs: maintaining eye contact, articulating information clearly and concisely, and excluding unnecessary details.

Body

Main Point 1: Increase Eye Contact When Delivering Information

Eye contact is a fundamental element of effective communication. It helps establish rapport, conveys confidence, and emphasizes professionalism during patient handoffs. Understanding when and how to make eye contact is essential for connecting with colleagues and ensuring the accuracy of the information exchanged. According to Kessler et al. (2015), eye contact strengthens communication in emergency settings and signals attentiveness to the recipient.

Main Point 2: Clearly and Concisely Articulate Information

Clarity in speech is critical for ensuring that messages are understood correctly. This includes proper articulation, logical sequencing of information, and concise delivery. Tools like the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) framework provide a structured approach to reporting patient information, reducing ambiguity and facilitating rapid comprehension (Shahid & Thomas, 2018). In high-pressure environments such as emergency departments, clear and concise communication is vital for efficiency and patient safety (Troyer & Brady, 2020).

Main Point 3: Leave Out Unnecessary Information

Providing excessive or irrelevant details can overwhelm the listener and obscure critical information. Effective handoffs require prioritizing essential details while omitting nonessential information. By carefully selecting what to communicate, healthcare providers can prevent confusion, reduce cognitive load on the receiving team, and ensure a smoother transition of care (Friesen et al., 2008).

Table: Key Aspects of Effective Patient Handoffs

Conclusion

Healthcare providers bear the responsibility of ensuring patient safety, and effective communication is a vital component of this duty. By concentrating on three key strategies—maintaining eye contact, articulating information clearly and concisely, and excluding unnecessary information—caregivers can improve patient outcomes, enhance professional relationships, and optimize operational efficiency. Implementing these communication practices transforms routine handoffs into precise, confident exchanges that enhance the overall quality of care.

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

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

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

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/=