Arnold Elizabeth C. - Interpersonal Relationships

This sixth edition of Interpersonal Relationships: Professional Communication Skills for Nurses continues to reflect the ideas and commitment of our students, valued colleagues, clients, and the editorial staff at Elsevier. As noted in earlier editions, the origin of the text began in conjunction with the development of an interpersonal relationship seminar at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. This seminar was designed by faculty to facilitate understanding of therapeutic communication across clinical settings through experiential simulations. Developing effective communication was important then, and it remains central to effective clinical practice in contemporary health care. The vitality of its contents reflects the commitment of faculty and students from many nursing programs and clinical nurses who have deepened the understanding of the materials presented in this text through their positive support, ideas, and constructive feedback. Their voices still find consistent expression in each chapter of this revision.

); and David R. Langford, RN, DSNc, from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

This book is the result of the unique team effort of several talented developmental editors who worked hard to make the process of revision as seamless as possible. We are most grateful for their expertise and commitment to the completion of this book. Each went out of her way to make the revision a positive, quality experience. Tiffany Trautwein worked with us during the first part of the preparation for this edition. Maria Broeker stepped in during the next phase of the text, and Heather D. Bays worked with us to finish the book in the final phase of the project. Maria Broeker deserves special acknowledgment for her dedication to the preparation of this book. Her support and encouragement have been invaluable. We also express our appreciation to Jeff Somers from Graphic World Publishing Services, who coordinated the final production of this book for publication, and to Jeanne Robertson for the revised artwork in this edition.

Finally, we acknowledge the loving support of our families and Michael J. Boggs for their unflagging support and encouragement.

Elizabeth C. Arnold and Kathleen Underman Boggs

Recognition of the importance of therapeutic communication and professional relationships with clients and families as a primary means of achieving treatment goals in health care continues to be the underlying theme in Interpersonal Relationships: Professional Communication Skills for Nurses. This sixth edition has been thoroughly revised, rewritten, and updated to meet the challenge of continuing to serve as a primary communication resource for nursing students and professional nurses. Although the content, exercises, and case examples continue to be written in terms of nurse-client relationships, they are applicable to clinical practice relationships conducted by other health care providers. This edition, like previous editions can be used as individual teaching modules, as a primary text, or as a communication resource integrated across the curriculum. Two new chapters related to communication strategies for client safety, and contemporary realities in continuity of care reflect the latest applications of communication in contemporary health care delivery.

, Role Relationship Patterns, establishes a framework for considering the issues surrounding new models of nursing education and explores role relationships as a nursing diagnosis. This section ends with a comprehensive discussion about palliative care and communication strategies in end-of-life care. Part III, Therapeutic Communication, explores basic concepts of therapeutic communication and applications of strategies nurses can use with different population groups: culturally diverse, family, and group communication. Applying therapeutic communication strategies in conflict situations and special attention to health promotion community strategies and health teaching complete this section. Part IV, Responding to Special Needs, focuses on the special communication needs of children, older adults, clients with communication deficits, and those experiencing stress or crisis. Part V, Professional Communication, describes communication issues with other health professionals and nursing applications in the use of electronic health records with accompanying taxonomies. Two new chapters address issues in contemporary health care related to the role of communication in promoting safety in the health care environment and principles related to supporting continuity of care within and across care settings. Major changes in managing health care data and transmitting vital health information including the place of the Internet for continual transmission of information in real time are addressed. The role of electronic communication as an increasingly important form of communication is highlighted at point of care and across clinical settings.