Limited Offer
Save 50% on book bundles
Immediately download your ebook while waiting for your print delivery. No promo code needed.
Communication in Paramedic Practice
- 1st Edition - July 6, 2023
- Author: Gjyn O'Toole
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 7 2 9 5 - 4 4 4 4 - 3
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 7 2 9 5 - 9 8 2 9 - 3
The ability to communicate well is the single most important skill for a paramedic. But, despite an emphasis on communication in paramedicine assessment and standards, there has… Read more
Purchase options
Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect
Request a sales quoteThe ability to communicate well is the single most important skill for a paramedic. But, despite an emphasis on communication in paramedicine assessment and standards, there has never been a resource specifically tailored to the unique environments in which paramedics practise.
This new book fills that gap. Communication in Paramedic Practice is designed as a primer on the importance for paramedics of communicating well, and how to achieve this in real life. It encourages self-reflection on your own communication style, and covers important considerations such as listening, managing distress, being culturally responsive and non-verbal communication.
Written by experts in this field, and full of relevant examples and opportunities to practise, this book will help you communicate comfortably and confidently for better patient outcomes, increased workplace safety and more efficient transfer of information
This new book fills that gap. Communication in Paramedic Practice is designed as a primer on the importance for paramedics of communicating well, and how to achieve this in real life. It encourages self-reflection on your own communication style, and covers important considerations such as listening, managing distress, being culturally responsive and non-verbal communication.
Written by experts in this field, and full of relevant examples and opportunities to practise, this book will help you communicate comfortably and confidently for better patient outcomes, increased workplace safety and more efficient transfer of information
- Four sections cover the significance of interpersonal communication, developing self-awareness, managing realities of communication as a paramedic and scenarios for practice
- Promotes self-reflection on your personal communication style and habits
- Introduces the strategies and skills you need for real life
- Encourages the development of confidence through activities, scenarios and case studies
- Wide range of examples to reflect paramedic practice
- Relevant resources for ongoing development and improvement of communication skills
- Answers to end-of-chapter review questions
- Student quiz
- Semester planner
- Student quiz – multiple choice questions
- Tutorial activities
- Student quiz – true / false
- PowerPoint slides
- Cover image
- Title page
- Table of Contents
- Copyright
- How to use this book
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- About the Authors
- Reviewer
- List of Illustrations
- List of Tables
- SECTION 1. The significance of effective interpersonal communication for the paramedic
- 1. Effective communication for paramedics: A model to guide communication
- Why learn how to communicate? Everyone can communicate!
- Factors to consider when defining effective communication
- A communication model to guide interactions in paramedic care: Negotiating mutual understanding
- Possible factors impacting effective communication
- Chapter summary
- References
- 2. The overarching goal of communication for paramedic healthcare professionals: Person-centred effective care
- An international World Health Organization (WHO) classification demonstrating the importance of effective communication
- A model to guide the overall purpose of communication for all healthcare professions
- Mutual understanding
- A therapeutic relationship
- Family/person-centred care and goals
- Chapter summary
- References
- 3. The goal of accommodating all aspects of the ‘Person/s’ for paramedic communication
- Who is the Person/s?
- Relevant information about the Person/s
- Defining the whole ‘Person’
- Cognitive aspects of the Person
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 4. The specific goals of communication for paramedics: 1. Introductions and providing information
- Making verbal introductions
- Providing information: A two-way process
- Providing constructive feedback
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 5. The specific goals of communication for paramedics: 2. Questioning, comforting and confronting
- Interviewing and questioning to gather information
- Comforting: Encouraging versus discouraging
- Confronting unhelpful attitudes or beliefs
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 6. The specific goals of communication for paramedic practitioners: 3. Effective conclusions of interactions and services: negotiating closure
- The importance of effective conclusions
- Features of effective conclusions or closure
- Preparing to conclude or finalise
- Concluding initial meetings, single face-to-face or telephone interactions
- Concluding individual treatment sessions
- Concluding provision of healthcare services after a period of care
- Concluding services due to a life-limiting illness
- Components of effective conclusions
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- SECTION 2. Achieving effective communication by developing awareness within the paramedic
- 7. Awareness of and the need for reflective practice in paramedics
- The ‘what’ of reflection: A definition
- The ‘why’ of reflection: Reasons for reflecting
- Reflection upon barriers to experiencing, accepting and resolving negative emotions
- The ‘how’ of reflection: Models of reflection
- The result of reflection: Achieving self-awareness
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 8. Awareness of self to enhance communication for paramedics
- Self-awareness: An essential requirement
- The benefits of achieving self-awareness
- Beginning the journey of self-awareness
- Individual values
- Is paramedicine an appropriate choice?
- Values of a paramedic
- Characteristics and abilities that enhance the practice of a paramedic
- Conflict between values and needs
- Perfectionism as a value
- Self-awareness of personal communication skills
- Self-awareness of skills for effective listening
- Self-awareness of skills for effective speaking
- Personality and resultant communicative behaviours
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 9. Awareness of how personal assumptions affect communication
- Reasons to avoid stereotypical judgement when communicating
- Stereotypical judgements relating to roles
- Expectations of a paramedic
- Developing attitudes to avoid stereotypical judgement
- Overcoming the power imbalance: Ways to demonstrate equality in a relationship
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 10. Awareness of the effects of non-verbal communication for paramedics
- The significance of non-verbal communication
- The benefits of non-verbal communication
- The effects of non-verbal communication
- The components of non-verbal communication
- Communicating with the Person/s who has limited verbal communication skills
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 11. Awareness of listening to facilitate Person/s-centred communication
- Defining effective listening
- Requirements of effective listening
- Results of effective listening
- Benefits of effective listening
- Barriers to effective listening
- Preparing to listen
- Characteristics of effective listening
- Disengagement
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 12. Awareness of management of environments affecting communication
- The physical environment
- The emotional environment
- The cultural environment
- Environments affecting sexuality
- The social environment
- The spiritual environment
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- SECTION 3. Managing the realities of communication as a paramedic
- 13. Holistic communication contributing to holistic paramedic care
- Holistic communication
- An essential criterion in holistic communication: Respect
- Another essential criterion in holistic communication: Empathy
- Holistic care
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 14. Managing conflict and distress for the paramedic when communicating
- Resolving negative attitudes and emotions towards another
- Patterns of relating during conflict
- Bullying
- Communicating assertively
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 15. Culturally responsive communication in paramedic care
- Introduction
- Defining culture
- Cultural identity affecting culturally responsive communication
- Defining culturally responsive communication
- Why consider cultural differences?
- A model of culturally responsive communication
- Managing personal cultural assumptions and expectations
- Strategies for achieving culturally responsive communication
- Using an interpreter
- The culture of each healthcare profession
- The culture of disease or ill health
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 16. Communicating with indigenous peoples as a paramedic
- Correct use of terms
- The four Rs for reconciliation: Remember, reflect, recognise, respond
- The complexity of cultural identity
- Principles of care for paramedics when working with indigenous peoples
- Factors contributing to culturally responsive communication with indigenous peoples
- Barriers to culturally responsive or effective communication
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- Websites and organisations
- Further useful resources
- References
- 17. Misunderstandings and communication for the paramedic
- Communication that produces misunderstandings
- Factors affecting mutual understanding
- Causes of misunderstandings
- Strategies to avoid misunderstandings
- Resolving misunderstandings
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 18. Ethical communication in paramedic care
- Respect regardless of differences
- Honesty
- Clarification of expectations
- Consent
- Confidentiality
- Boundaries
- Ethical codes of behaviour and conduct
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- Further reading
- Further useful resources
- References
- 19. Paramedics communicating to ensure interdisciplinary care
- The expanding role of the paramedic: An essential reality
- Paramedicine organisational requirements
- Advocacy
- Requirements of interdisciplinary communication or teamwork
- The benefits of paramedic involvement in interdisciplinary communication and care
- Challenges affecting paramedic inclusion in interdisciplinary communication and care
- Handovers
- Overcoming challenges relating to paramedic inclusion in interdisciplinary teams
- Electronic records: Points to remember
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- References
- 20. Telecommunication or telehealth: The seen, but not-in-the-room paramedic
- Positive outcomes from using telecommunication
- Challenges relating to using telecommunication
- Devices, trained personnel and secure internet connection
- Requirements for effective communication
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- Websites for guidelines and/or policies
- References
- 21. Documentation: ‘One-way’ paramedic communication
- Documentation: Information recording and provision
- Quality, understandable documentation
- Documentation requirements in paramedic care
- Characteristics of a professional writing style
- Report or letter writing: Formatting and content
- Points to remember
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- Useful websites
- References
- 22. Social media or ‘not present in person’ communication and the paramedic
- Social networking sites
- Cyberbullying
- Other factors relating to the use of social media
- NETIQUETTE: A mnemonic to guide personal electronic communication
- Professional communication using social media
- Chapter summary
- Review questions
- Useful websites
- References
- SECTION 4. Scenarios to guide communication: opportunities for paramedics to practise communicating effectively with the ‘Person/s’
- Introduction
- Introduction
- One possible session outline – role-plays
- 23. Person/s experiencing strong negative emotions
- Scenario 1: Person/s experiencing extreme distress and sometimes anger
- Scenario 2: distress and anger resulting from lack of understanding of the condition
- Scenario 3: Person/s behaving aggressively
- Scenario 4: Person/s living in a residential facility experiencing a hearing impairment
- Scenario 5: Person reluctant to engage in the intervention or be involved in communication
- Scenario 6: Person/s experiencing neurogenic or psychological shock
- Scenario 7: Person/s experiencing anger from unexpected events resulting in lack of clarity
- 24. Person/s experiencing particular roles and aspects of life in their circumstances
- Scenario 1: An adult becoming a mother
- Scenario 2: A child with a life-limiting illness
- Scenario 3: An indigenous child with a hearing impairment and possible tachycardia
- Scenario 4: A student of a healthcare profession witnessing an attempted suicide
- Scenario 5: A refugee who is a victim of street violence
- Scenario 6: A fit adult with a possible spinal injury (see Scenario 1 for details relating to communication with an adult)
- Scenario 7: A grandparent with their unresponsive grandchild
- 25. Person/s requesting paramedic assistance perceived as a waste-of-time call
- Scenario 1: Elderly person collapsed in a shopping centre
- Scenario 2: A person/s experiencing a debilitating headache
- Scenario 3: Vomiting ill person calling for assistance
- Scenario 4: Person/s with recent total hip replacement (thr) experiencing difficulty sleeping
- Scenario 5: An elderly person feeling unwell after recovering from Covid-19
- Strategies for communication with a person recovering from Covid-19
- Scenario 6: Person experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath (SOB)
- 26. Person/s experiencing particular conditions
- Scenario 1: Person experiencing a cardiac arrest
- Scenario 2: Person with a hearing impairment has had a stroke
- Scenario 3: Person/s in the final stages of a life-limiting illness
- Scenario 4: An indigenous/first nation person with type 2 diabetes
- Scenario 5: Person/s experiencing a mental illness – attempted suicide
- Scenario 6: Person/s experiencing mental illness – depression
- Scenario 7: A person with drug overdose
- Scenario 8: Recreational drug usage
- References
- 27. Person/s in particular contexts
- Scenario 1: A Person/s who experiences a car accident on a dark country road – an emergency
- Scenario 2: A Person/s sustaining fractures from a collision with a car while riding a bicycle
- Scenario 3: Seizure on a busy road
- Scenario 4: An elderly vietnamese Person at home had a stroke over 12 months ago
- Scenario 5: An Italian Person with renal failure who is having regular dialysis
- Scenario 6: A Person experiencing homelessness
- Scenario 7: A Person/s experiencing shortness of breath (SOB) from anxiety relating to domestic violence/abuse
- Scenario 8: Motorbike accident (rider wearing bike club clothing) resulting in a spinal injury
- Glossary
- Index
- No. of pages: 260
- Language: English
- Edition: 1
- Published: July 6, 2023
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Paperback ISBN: 9780729544443
- eBook ISBN: 9780729598293
GO
Gjyn O'Toole
Gjyn retired from academia in 2020.
Affiliations and expertise
Senior Lecturer Occupational Therapy (retired), The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia