Dealing with patients in emotional or behavioural distress

Enhancing Patient Care: Dealing with patients in emotional or behavioural distress.

As an agency nurse you can work in many different healthcare facilities on a monthly basis. Which also means you deal with 100s of patients, new and unknown! It is essential for agency nurses to understand and respond effectively to patients experiencing emotional or behavioural distress. Here are ten valuable strategies to guide our Nurses and support healthcare providers in delivering compassionate care:

Active Listening: Encourage active listening skills among healthcare providers, allowing them to fully understand patients' concerns and emotions.

Empathy: Foster empathy towards patients, recognising and validating their feelings to establish a trusting and supportive environment.

Non-Verbal Communication: Emphasise the importance of non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, in conveying empathy and understanding.

Respect: Stress the significance of treating patients with dignity and respect, regardless of their emotional state or behaviour.

Calm Presence: Encourage healthcare providers to maintain a calm and composed demeanour, which can help alleviate patient distress and anxiety.

Validation: Teach validation techniques to acknowledge patients' emotions and experiences, validating their feelings without judgement.

De-escalation: Provide training in de-escalation techniques to manage situations where patients may become agitated or upset.

Collaboration: Promote collaborative approaches to care, involving patients in decision-making and empowering them to participate in their treatment plans.

Cultural Competence: Emphasise the importance of cultural competence in understanding and respecting patients' diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

Self-Care: Highlight the significance of self-care for healthcare providers, encouraging them to prioritise their well-being to better support patients in distress.

By incorporating these strategies into your day to day role as an agency nurse and ongoing training. You can ensure to understand and respond effectively to patients experiencing emotional or behavioural distress.

For more information on agency nursing with Clarity Locums or indeed further training available. Please feel free to contact us today