Techniques to communicate with Infants and parents:
Techniques to communicate with Infants and parents:
Infants – Using facial expressions, gestures, and body language to soothe and engage infants. Speaking in a gentle, soothing voice to reduce infant anxiety. Encouraging parents to hold and comfort the infant during examinations. Using toys, mobiles, or sounds to distract and calm the infant during procedures.
Parents – Explaining procedures and health information in straightforward, understandable terms. Offering emotional support and reassurance to alleviate parental anxiety. Listening to parents\’ concerns and questions attentively to build trust and rapport. Providing written or visual aids to help parents understand health guidelines and procedures.
Techniques for preschool-Aged Children and parents
Children – Using stories or analogies to explain medical concepts in an age-appropriate manner. Praising cooperation and bravery during medical visits. Incorporating play to familiarize children with medical instruments and procedures. Using short, simple sentences and concrete terms to explain what will happen.
Parents – Providing information on what developmental milestones and health issues to expect in the near future. Advising on managing common preschool behaviors and promoting healthy habits. Encouraging parents to participate in the child\’s care and decision-making process. Maintaining regular and open communication to address any emerging concerns promptly.
Techniques for School-Aged Children
Children – Engaging children in conversation and encouraging them to ask questions. Using charts, diagrams, and models to explain medical conditions and treatments. Giving children a sense of control by involving them in decision-making where appropriate. Providing age-appropriate education about their health and body.
Parents – Offering advice on supporting the child\’s physical, emotional, and social development. Educating parents on common health issues and preventive measures for school-aged children. Advising parents on how to foster their child\’s independence and self-care skills. Working with parents to develop a health plan that fits the family\’s lifestyle and needs.
Techniques for Adolescents and Parents
Adolescents – Treating adolescents with respect and recognizing their growing autonomy. Bell and Condren (2016) mentioned that studies have shown that poor communication can lead to compromised outcomes for patients and their families. Ensuring privacy and confidentiality to encourage honest communication. Addressing concerns about body image and peer pressure in a supportive manner. Providing comprehensive education on topics such as sexual health, mental health, and substance use.
Parents – Guiding parents on how to balance support and independence for their adolescents. Encouraging open communication about sensitive topics and health issues. According to Aharon (2022), encouraging open communication, trust, and confidence between parents and healthcare providers is crucial, as it enables the effective handling of any obstacles to implement the professional’s recommendations. Advising on appropriate levels of parental involvement in the adolescent\’s health care. Providing strategies for resolving conflicts that may arise during this developmental stage.
Fuzzell et al. study
In the (Fuzzell et al., 2018) study, it was surprising that communication about firearm safety did not correlate with adherence to the safety guidelines. This could indicate that the methods or context in which firearm safety is discussed might not be as impactful or that other factors influence adherence more strongly. Fuzzell et al. (2018) discussed that overall adherence to guidelines was significantly impacted by parents\’ trust in their child\’s provider, their ease in discussing the guidelines, their agreement with the guidelines, and their confidence in their ability to follow them.
Benefits and Disadvantages of Pre-Screening Parents
Benefits: Pre-screening allows providers to tailor discussions to the specific needs and concerns of each family, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of the consultation. Providers can focus on the most pertinent issues during face-to-face interaction, potentially reducing the length of visits and improving clinic workflow. Providers can prepare more thoroughly for each appointment, ensuring they address all critical points and provide comprehensive care.
Disadvantages: Implementing a pre-screening process may require additional administrative resources and time and may increase the burden on clinic staff. If pre-screening is not conducted thoroughly or accurately, it may lead to misunderstandings or missed opportunities to address important health concerns. Collecting detailed information before the visit may raise concerns about the privacy and security of patient data.
References:
Aharon, A. A. (2022). Parents’ Adherence to Childhood Screening Tests and Referrals: A Retrospective Cohort Study with Randomized Sampling. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(10), 6143. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106143
Bell, J., & Condren, M. (2016). Communication strategies for empowering and protecting children. The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 21(2), 176–184. https://doi.org/10.5863/1551-6776-21.2.176
Fuzzell, L. N., LaJoie, A. S., Smith, K. T., Philpott, S. E., Jones, K. M., & Politi, M. C. (2018). Parents’ adherence to pediatric health and safety guidelines: Importance of patient-provider relationships. Patient Education and Counseling, 101(9), 1570–1576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2018.05.003
Paper Format: APA
Answer preview to Techniques to communicate with Infants and parents:
APA
300 WORDS
