Working with patients is a complex process that demands specific knowledge and experience. However, effective cooperation and collaboration are vital for establishing the bond between a caregiver and an individual. It is fundamental to consider the peculiarities of the patient, his/her demands, and unusual features and responses. Only under these conditions, it is possible to treat patients effectively and guarantee they follow the guidelines prescribed for them at the moment. Otherwise, non-compliance will result in the emergence of undesired outcomes and adverse effects. The case of Alma demonstrates the complexity in relations between a patient and a health worker and the need for using specific approaches to work with such patients.
First of all, it is vital to remember that most patients feel stress during their visits to the hospital because of fear and their disease. In the presented case, an 85-year-old female outpatient has to have an invasive pelvic procedure, which is challenging for her and affects her behavior. For this reason, her irritation, unwillingness to cooperate and comply can be linked to anxiety, fear, and stress. The plan to help Alma be compliant includes several stages. First, nurses and a psychologist should cooperate to find the primary cause of non-compliance and manage it (Schlegel & Leray, 2018). Second, Alma’s family should be involved in the case as patients feel safer and more comfortable when family members and close people care for them and are concerned about their current state (Schlegel & Leray, 2018). Moreover, it will also help to understand the reasons for non-compliance better and eliminate them. Another important factor is the detailed explanation of why Alma should follow specific guidelines instead of ordering without clear explanations (Rothenberg, 2003). Following the plan, it is possible to improve Alma’s compliance and readiness to cooperate.
Patient education is another factor playing a vital role in the case. Providing clients with information about their current state leads to better motivation and readiness to cooperate, which is essential for improved outcomes. For Alma, education should be organized focusing on the patient herself and her family members. Because of the client’s age, she might demand assistance, meaning that close people should be taught how to help her and manage possible adverse effects and conditions (Rao et al., 2017). Moreover, the best approach to work with Alma is personal meetings and explanations, not using mediated tools, such as the Internet, because of her peculiarities (Schlegel & Leray, 2018). Family members can be educated using the method they find the most effective one, including innovative technologies and communication tools.
The case of Alma shows the complexity of working with some groups of patients. Under these conditions, collaboration acquires the top priority as the tool to ensure patients’ compliance. Trustful and respectful relations between a care provider and a client are vital for attaining desired outcomes and success (Schlegel & Leray, 2018). Under these conditions, a health worker should cultivate collaboration using various methods available to him/her as it would lead to enhanced understanding and readiness to comply with the offered guidelines.
Altogether, Alma’s case shows that nurses might face various barriers because of the patients’ peculiarities. Anxiety, fear, and pressure because of the illness and specific interventions might affect behaviors and lead to problems in communication. Under these conditions, it is vital to determine the central cause for non-compliance and eliminate them to establish a trustful and strong partnership to attain success and complete recovery.
References
Rao, K. N., George, J., Sudarshan, C. Y., & Begum, S. (2017). Treatment compliance and noncompliance in psychoses. Indian journal of psychiatry, 59(1), 69–76. Web.
Rothenberg, G. (2003). How to facilitate better patient compliance. Podiatry Today. Web.
Schlegel, V., & Leray, E. (2018). From medical prescription to patient compliance: A qualitative insight into the neurologist-patient relationship in multiple sclerosis. International journal of MS care, 20(6), 279–286. Web.