Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2611868 Réanimation 2010 8 Pages PDF
Abstract
To communicate is to share information, as indicated by the Latin root of the verb, communicare, which means to put in common or share. The ICU is a world apart and according to ICU survivors, a world of the extreme. To help patients and families cope with this world, and to ensure optimal coordination of care, good communication is crucial. The ICU nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, physical therapists, orderlies, psychologists, and other staff members are all at the service of the patient: this characteristic defines patient- and family-centered care. The driving force behind patient/family-centered care is a close cooperation between the family - and patient if he or she is able to participate - and the healthcare team. Patient/family-centered care is more likely to thrive in ICUs that have strong leaders and attentive loving staff members. Organizing communication is a crucial step in the holistic management of patients and families that characterizes patient- and family-centered care. Here, we will discuss various types of communication and ways to communicate better.
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