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In healthcare the clients health and safety comes first. To keep this promise, healthcare
workers must maintain optimal effective communication amongst their colleagues. More
specifically physicians and nurses must communicate effectively to deliver the upmost care for
their clients. It is important to recognize and acknowledge that both physicians and nurses must
work seamlessly together regardless of the difference in their job description. Both a physician
and nurse have two different roles, they both face their own problems, and regardless of that they
must both maintain an effective means of communication amongst each other.

Nurses advocate for their clients. They spend the most time with the client than anybody
else because their role is to maintain a high quality of life for their client for the time being.
Nurses take orders from the doctors and follow them to deliver care for their clients. The daily
routine of providing care and maintaining health for a client becomes a natural thing for both the
client and nurse. Physicians have a very different role. They write out prescriptions and face
more challenging life threatening situations. This can account for less face to face
communication and bonding with the client. The nurse and the physician both impact the life of a
client but can view their course of care very differently because of the difference of exposure to
the client. Although on the same team, with the same overall aim of patient care, the priorities
perceived by each healthcare worker may be quite different (K. Curtis. 2011). Both view the
clients course of care to be addressed differently, but the two must communicate effectively to
mutually agree for one care plan. This is an example where clear communication is needed, and a
compromise must be agreed upon. If the two cannot come to an agreement the clients health and
safety become a risk. Poor communication and communication overload has a direct correlation

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with patient outcomes (K. Curtis. 2011). Teamwork is essential for both the nurse and physician
because it reassures the client will have the best care provided. Team cohesiveness is necessary
to promote the best possible outcomes for clients (CNO Ethics. 2009). Although the nurse and
physician face different challenges they must both collaborate and coordinate together to bring
forth the best care for the client.

The nurse and physician encounter many problems throughout a shift. It is important that
each problem is revolved in an appropriate manner with the best possible outcomes. Busy and
crowded work environment are a problem both teams of professionals face. This type of problem
has a direct effect on the communication between the two. When the environment becomes
flooded with chaotic situations everyone is trying to do their best with what circumstances they
are given. When something needs to be communicated, the nurse and physician must ensure
there is no interruption between the two. It is essential that nurses and doctors are able to
exchange information in a coherent, comprehensive way (K. Curtis. 2011). The healthcare
setting is bound to face a series of conflict between colleagues, whether it is due to poor team
work, miscommunication, or lack of awareness. Regardless the nurse and physician should
quickly resolve the issue and put the problem to rest This responsibility involves ensuring that
conflicts do not negatively affect client health outcomes or relationships among colleagues. A
healthy workplace is an environment in which nurses can safely identify conflict and implement
systems for it management (CNO Conflict Prevention. 2009). A problem most new practicing
healthcare professionals face is voicing their concerns. This is a big problem because it may lead
to the clients health and safety at risk Nurses have difficulties in voicing their concerns or

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opinions directly, particularly if it involves contradictions or criticism of doctors or of other
senior figures within the team (K. Curtis. 2011). Problems will always arise in the healthcare
setting but it is important to maintain a quality work environment by managing any conflicts.

In order to understand one another the nurse and physician must be able to communicate
in a way that is clear for the both of them. Olga Kadda believes, The most crucial aspect of the
docotr-nurse relation is its mutual interdependence since neither can function independently of
the other (O. Kadda. 2013). Before the nurse and physician can work with one another they
must have a form of communication which both teams find reliable and effective. A
communication system has been set in place in majority of healthcare settings which goes by the
name ISBAR. This effective communication tool is key when trying to meet the goals of a client
and communicate in a reliable manner. It is used for nurses and physicians to communicate with
one another so both have a clear understanding of the clients current situation. This type of
structure gives order and helps to prepare both teams accordingly. This is a great communication
tool because it leaves very little room for error. Physician - nurse communication is strongly
associated with reduced errors in practice, reduced nosocomial infections and improved patients
satisfaction (O. Kadda. 2013). ISBAR is just one tool that can be used to aid in the outcome of a
client. This type of communication relives stress on both teams and in most cases will result in a
positive outcome for the client. A fair and efficient reporting system encourages communication
among staff members (CNO Conflict Prevention. 2009). Due to the effective communication
techniques used, both parties can now work together to achieve their goals.

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Maintaining clear communication through the use of tools, while facing complicated
challenges and practicing medicine differently all contribute to how a nurse and physician
communicate with one another. Communication is a prerequisite for promoting patients safety
and improving quality of care (O. Kadda. 2013). Both teams will face challenging scenarios in
their practice, but one thing they must continue to maintain is effective communicating skills. I
believe communication is the most important between nurses and physicians because it is what
ensures the quality of the patients care and their outcomes. I have learned that without effective
communication the lives of clients are compromised at your cost. I have always agreed with the
idea of effective communication within the health care setting but, when reading the article and
journals I was reassured that without effective communication proper healthcare cannot continue
in a safe manner. The article and journals I have read have taught me that by practising the best
communication skills possible, while practising as a student, will help me to be the best nurse I
can be. Therefore, without the use of effective communicating techniques, healthcare would be
nonexistent.

References

Curtis, K. (2011). How to talk to doctors- a guide for effective communication. Retrieved from
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1111/j.1466-7657.2010.00847.x/asset/j.14667657.2010.00847.x.pdf;jsessionid=E0487731E65106779A744510BE8399D3.f03t02?
v=1&t=hs2fzmcg&s=dbbd53e2d453f40c4aac38d55f3957e5e3715553

Kadda, O. (2013). Effective physician - nurse communication . Retrieved from

http://www.hsj.gr/volume7/issue3/730.pdf

CNO. (2009, June). Standards and guidelines cno ethics. Retrieved from
http://www.cno.org/Global/docs/prac/41034_Ethics.pdf

CNO. (2009, June). Standards and guidelines cno conflict prevention and management.
Retrieved from http://www.cno.org/Global/docs/prac/47004_conflict_prev.pdf