Willingness To Improve Communication

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Introduction To Nursing Diagnosis: Willingness To Improve Communication

The nursing diagnosis for Willingness To Improve Communication reflects a patient's willingness to improve their communication skills. This includes an individual's participation in activities that will improve the communication process, their participation in self-care, and their overall participation in supportive roles necessary for the advancement of effective communication practices.

Nursing Diagnosis Definition

Willingness To Improve Communication is defined by NANDA as: “The desire of the patient or family to participate in activities that will enhance the communication process and support communication advances.”

Defining Characteristics

Subjective

• Demonstrates willingness to participate in activities related to improving communication
• Verbalizes intention to incorporate new knowledge into regular behavior
• Reports preferring to store/retrieve information from paper based/electronic forms of record-keeping
• States preference for verbal or written communication of health care information
• Expresses awareness of communication advancements and changes
• Indicates that understanding new information is important for self-development

Objective

• Engages in recommended activities which promote improvement in communication
• Stays informed regarding new techniques and strategies for communication advancement
• Utilizes resources such as online forums and social media platforms to acquire additional information
• Participates in self-care activities related to communication enhancement
• Actively contributes to supportive roles necessary for the advancement of effective communication
• Maintains daily communication logs that accurately record progress

Related Factors

When a person is willing to improve communication, there are a number of factors that can affect their desire to do so. These include:

• Access to communication resources
• Availability of support from family and friends
• Cultural influences
• Level of education
• Support from health care professionals
• Lack of awareness of the importance of communication
• Fears about the risks associated with communication advances

Risk Population

Individuals who are at risk for a decreased willingness to improve communication include:

• Elderly individuals
• Children
• Those with limited or no access to technology
• Those with mental illness or cognitive impairments

Associated Problems

When a person is not willing to improve their communication skills, they may experience a number of associated problems. These include:

• Decreased ability to understand others’ perspectives
• Difficulty conveying thoughts clearly
• Miscommunication
• Difficulty understanding instructions or directions
• Difficulty participating in conversations
• Social isolation
• Depression
• Anxiety

Suggestions For Use

In order to promote a patient's willingness to improve communication, there are a few things that can be done:

• Provide support and encouragement to the patient in order to help them feel confident in their abilities to improve their communication skills.
• Encourage the patient to participate in resources and activities related to communication.
• Discuss with the patient the importance of understanding new information and how it can help them in their self-development.
• Ensure the patient has access to communication resources and training that can help them improve their communication skills.

Suggested Alternative Nursing Diagnosis

Other NANDA diagnoses that may assist when working with patients to improve communication include:

• Interpersonal Shared Governance Deficit
• Intervention Knowledge Deficit
• Social Interaction Impairment
• Noncompliance
• Knowledge Deficit
• Confusion
• Social Isolation
• Ineffective Therapeutic Regimen Management

Usage Tips

It is important to keep in mind the following usage tips when attempting to assess a patient’s willingness to improve communication:

• Assess the patient’s literacy level and language ability.
• Arrange for appropriate interpreters, if necessary.
• Develop an assessment plan that includes discussion of patient’s current level of communication skills and target goals.
• Discuss the potential risks associated with communication advances.
• Create an open dialogue with the patient in order to better understand their wants and needs.

NOC Results

This nursing diagnosis will lead to the following NOC results being achieved:

• Communication: Ability to send, receive and comprehend messages relevant to the task and/or setting.
• Knowledge: cognizance of facts, principles, and/or procedures related to the task and/or setting.
• Self-Care Demand: Level of demand that an individual experiences to perform his/her optimal self-care.
• Sense Of Empowerment: Feeling of personal influence over one’s health status.
• Perception Of Control: Belief that an individual has control over his/her environment and circumstances.

NIC Interventions

NIC interventions that are applicable to this nursing diagnosis include:

• Education And Information: Enhancing knowledge and skills related to communication.
• Support System Enhancement: Facilitating access to resources and services to meet needs.
• Interpretation/Translation: Clarifying meaning and expanding communication.
• Communication Skills Enhancement: Improving verbal and nonverbal interaction.
• Self Care Assistance: Assisting patient with activities of daily living.
• Self Care Encouragement: Advocating behavior and lifestyle choices which maintain positive health.

Conclusion

The nursing diagnosis for Willingness To Improve Communication reflects a patient's willingness to participate in activities that support and enhance the communication process. This diagnosis can lead to improved communication and better health outcomes for the patient.

FAQ

• What is Nursing Diagnosis?
• NANDA stands for North American Nursing Diagnosis Association. It is a standardized language used to describe and classify nursing diagnoses that are used by nurses to assess patient needs and develop nursing care plans.
• What is the definition of Willingness To Improve Communication?
• The NANDA definition of Willingness To Improve Communication is: "The desire of the patient or family to participate in activities that will enhance the communication process and support communication advances."
• What are some NOC results associated with this diagnosis?
• Some of the NOC results associated with this diagnosis include: Communication, Knowledge, Self-Care Demand, Sense of Empowerment, and Perception of Control.