Parent/Patient communication Where are we at?
THE SONOGRAPHY
discussions
Parent/Patient communication Where are we at? Effective person/patient-centred communication is a cornerstone of quality healthcare, with a focus on understanding the patient, including their personality, life history, and social context. This interview explores the significance of person/patientcentred communication within the context of sonography, emphasising its potential to enhance the patient experience and health outcomes. Both Dr Kate Russo, Specialist Sonographer at Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Paula Kinnane FASA, Professional Development Manager at ASA, underscore the need for sonographers to engage in open, empathetic, and culturally sensitive communication, particularly during brief patient interactions, and highlight the broader social determinants of health that impact patient wellbeing.
Dr Kate Russo
Master’s Program Unit Coordinator, Advanced Communication and Clinical Education | Central Queensland University
Specialist Sonographer | Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital Kate has worked as a Specialist Sonographer at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide for the last 14 years, with a special interest in high risk obstetrics and fetal echocardiography. Her ultrasound career started in Brisbane in 1998 where she spent five years before moving to the United Kingdom. While in London, Kate worked primarily in obstetrics and gynaecology, developing her ultrasound skills in fetal medicine before returning to Adelaide in 2009. She has a keen interest in research, completing her PhD titled ‘Maternal cardiac function in women high-risk for pre-eclampsia’ in 2020. Kate also works as a Senior Lecturer at Central Queensland University and is the Master’s Program Unit Coordinator for Advanced Communication and Clinical Education. She is passionate about delivering high quality education for sonographers.
Your communication during that short time can have a significant impact on the patient’s wellbeing and DR KATE RUSSO ongoing care to develop a shared understanding of the problem and the barriers to treatment and wellness. Sonographers most often have one-off patient interactions; however, your communication during that short time can have a significant impact on the patient’s wellbeing and ongoing care. This can be a positive experience or potentially harmful when there is no consideration for the whole person. This links to social determinants of health, including psychological wellbeing, socioeconomic status, education, social support, family and cultural background, gender/sexual identity, relationships and trauma. Recognising and understanding these factors will enable you to adjust your communication to ensure your patient feels respected, comfortable, listened to, and cared for.
What is considered best practice in person/ patient-centred communication? High quality communication is fundamental to providing person/ patient-centred care, which has evolved from the paternalistic approach that ‘doctor knows best’, with no or limited consultation with the patient. Person/patient-centred care is considered a partnership between patients and healthcare providers, with a focus on enhanced patient satisfaction. To achieve this, it is important to establish a connection with your patient, explore the patient’s perspective, provide information and demonstrate interest and empathy. This requires sonographers to show openness, warmth and be attentive from the moment you greet them in the waiting room, so be mindful of your verbal and nonverbal communication.
What is person/patient-centred communication and why is it important?
These simple steps will assist in establishing a rapport and help put your patient at ease. Before starting the ultrasound examination, take the time to actively listen to your patient, so you can understand their concerns and expectations, without being distracted by scanning. Provide information about the ultrasound examination and check for understanding, as this is your responsibility.
Person or patient-centred communication has been shown to improve a patient’s experience of care and leads to better health outcomes, requiring health professionals to have a holistic understanding of the person presenting for care. This includes acknowledging their personality, life history, and social structure
Furthermore, these steps will help build trust and ensure greater cooperation. Take the time to acknowledge their feelings and emotions, as it is easy to overlook the stress and anxiety associated with entering a healthcare setting and the concerns they may have about their health and wellbeing.
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