Self-Esteem
We all have days when we don't feel good about ourselves, and it is rare to find someone who is confident all the time. But when we persistently have low self-esteem, it can have a harmful effect on our, and the same affects patients lives
Those patient with a negative sense of self can experience more trouble healing from injury, recovering from
surgery, coping with disease and following their provider’s care plan.
In fact, a 2013 study published by Europe PMC uncovered a strong relationship between a patient’s self-esteem
and
the duration of their illness. And developing a condition with serious side effects can exacerbate existing
feelings
of worthlessness.
As a nurse, you have more frequent and prolonged interaction with patients than possibly any other healthcare professional. That means you’re in a unique position to make a meaningful impact on your patients’ health.
Here are three tips to help you boost your patient self-esteem:Active Listening
When patients have a low sense of self-worth, they often feel like no one is listening to them or cares about what they have to say. When healthcare providers and nurses show rush through conversations and fail to acknowledge their concerns, it can lower patients’ confidence and make them less likely to confide in you or other members of their care team in the future.
Active listening, however, can help your patients feel more self-assured. This requires you to give patients your full attention, listen carefully, reconfirm their comments and respond as necessary never try to Avoid there concerns about their health treatment plan.
Here are a few ways to demonstrate active listening:
- Maintain eye contact.
- Sit or stand facing the patient.
- Smile (when appropriate).
- Ask relevant questions.
- Avoid distractions (i.e., looking at your watch or checking your phone).
- Nod or use verbal affirmations.
Develop a Natural Rapport
To enhance your patients self-esteem, you have to make patients feel comfortable. One way to achieve this is by developing a natural conversation beyond discussions of their condition and treatment. You should ask them questions about their family, pets, career and hobbies to engage them, or offer a genuine compliment. Do your best to find common ground, such as a shared interest, to help form a bond and earn their trust
Involve Patients in Developing Their Care Plan
One of the best things you can do to improve patient self-esteem, drive better outcomes and increase patient satisfaction, is to involve them when creating their care plan. Collaborative care plans are one of the cornerstones of patient-centered care.
Start by educating patients (and approved loved ones) about their condition and providing all the information they need to assist in the decision-making process.
