{"id":121,"date":"2020-03-03T09:03:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-03T14:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca\/communicationnursing\/?post_type=chapter&p=121"},"modified":"2025-11-26T17:45:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T22:45:10","slug":"interprofessional-communication","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/communicationnursing\/chapter\/interprofessional-communication\/","title":{"raw":"Interprofessional Communication","rendered":"Interprofessional Communication"},"content":{"raw":"Within the context of health care, interprofessional communication can be defined as communication among members of a client care team, which may include members of various professional groups<\/strong>. For example, it may involve you as the nurse, clients, families, and also other healthcare professionals such as physicians, physiotherapists, midwives, pharmacists, dieticians, and personal support workers.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nFigure 3.2<\/strong>: Interprofessional communication\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nInterprofessional communication involves verbal, written, and non-verbal communication as defined in Chapter 1.\r\n\r\nDuring interprofessional communication, verbal communication <\/strong>may include conversations between two or more members of the interprofessional team, usually in person as illustrated in Figure 3.2<\/strong> or over the telephone. See Table 3.1<\/strong> for specific communication types and examples that are common in healthcare.\r\n\r\nWritten communication <\/strong>in the interprofessional context commonly includes documentation notes in a client\u2019s chart such as progress notes, physician orders, medication administration record, diagnostic reports, referral letters, and discharge notes. Other examples may include faxes and emails, and more recently, texts.\r\n\r\nFinally, non-verbal communication<\/strong> in the interprofessional context involves meaning and interpretation conveyed through body language such as facial expressions, eye contact, body position, and gestures. It is important to be aware of your body language and ensure that it aligns with your verbal language.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nTable 3.1<\/strong>: Examples of interprofessional communication\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Communication type<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Verbal <\/strong>communication example<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Client\/unit rounds where an interprofessional group discuss the client\u2019s status and plan of care \u2013 many times the client and family are involved in these rounds.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cMr. Molina\u2019s blood pressure has been stabilized all night with no chest pain since 2330. He remains on a saline drip and is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization this morning.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Physician:<\/strong> \u201cWhat\u2019s his cognitive and renal status like?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cHe is alert and oriented. No renal issues. He was started on an oral beta blocker last night and had a dose this morning, and was given a dose of 20 mg furosemide this morning too. However, he is wondering about whether he should be restarted on his cholesterol medication.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Physician:<\/strong> \u201cYes, that is fine to restart, and please notify me when his cath results come back.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cSounds good.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

In-person or phone conversations in which you are providing a client update and consulting another healthcare professional on a plan of action.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cHello, I am Rita Lin, a registered nurse working with the client Meaka Lorne at General Highschool. Meaka is having suicidal ideation although she does not have an immediate plan. However, I think it is time to initiate more intensive therapy.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Therapist:<\/strong> \u201cYes, I remember Meaka. How is her anxiety and depression?\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cHer anxiety has been exacerbated over the last couple of weeks, and as a result she hasn\u2019t been going to school. She has felt quite sad and gloomy over the last week, which is when the thoughts of suicide emerged.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Therapist:<\/strong> \u201cI recall this is how it began last year.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cYes, she also indicated that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Therapist:<\/strong> \u201cCan you remind me whether she still lives with her father.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cYes, she does, and he is with her at home right now.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Therapist:<\/strong> \u201cOkay, let\u2019s get her in for an appointment.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Discussions that occur among healthcare professionals while providing client care.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

Physician:<\/strong> \u201cI am just about to insert the central venous catheter, could you shift the light a little this way.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cYes, no problem. I have the IV primed, just let me know when you want me to hand it to you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Physician:<\/strong> \u201cWill do. Ms. Bykov, you will feel a slight pinch, if you can stay still.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Client:<\/strong> \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Activity: Check Your Understanding<\/h2>\r\n[h5p id=\"28\"]","rendered":"

Within the context of health care, interprofessional communication can be defined as communication among members of a client care team, which may include members of various professional groups<\/strong>. For example, it may involve you as the nurse, clients, families, and also other healthcare professionals such as physicians, physiotherapists, midwives, pharmacists, dieticians, and personal support workers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Figure 3.2<\/strong>: Interprofessional communication<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Interprofessional communication involves verbal, written, and non-verbal communication as defined in Chapter 1.<\/p>\n

During interprofessional communication, verbal communication <\/strong>may include conversations between two or more members of the interprofessional team, usually in person as illustrated in Figure 3.2<\/strong> or over the telephone. See Table 3.1<\/strong> for specific communication types and examples that are common in healthcare.<\/p>\n

Written communication <\/strong>in the interprofessional context commonly includes documentation notes in a client\u2019s chart such as progress notes, physician orders, medication administration record, diagnostic reports, referral letters, and discharge notes. Other examples may include faxes and emails, and more recently, texts.<\/p>\n

Finally, non-verbal communication<\/strong> in the interprofessional context involves meaning and interpretation conveyed through body language such as facial expressions, eye contact, body position, and gestures. It is important to be aware of your body language and ensure that it aligns with your verbal language.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Table 3.1<\/strong>: Examples of interprofessional communication<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Communication type<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Verbal <\/strong>communication example<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Client\/unit rounds where an interprofessional group discuss the client\u2019s status and plan of care \u2013 many times the client and family are involved in these rounds.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cMr. Molina\u2019s blood pressure has been stabilized all night with no chest pain since 2330. He remains on a saline drip and is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Physician:<\/strong> \u201cWhat\u2019s his cognitive and renal status like?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cHe is alert and oriented. No renal issues. He was started on an oral beta blocker last night and had a dose this morning, and was given a dose of 20 mg furosemide this morning too. However, he is wondering about whether he should be restarted on his cholesterol medication.\u201d<\/p>\n

Physician:<\/strong> \u201cYes, that is fine to restart, and please notify me when his cath results come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cSounds good.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

In-person or phone conversations in which you are providing a client update and consulting another healthcare professional on a plan of action.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cHello, I am Rita Lin, a registered nurse working with the client Meaka Lorne at General Highschool. Meaka is having suicidal ideation although she does not have an immediate plan. However, I think it is time to initiate more intensive therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Therapist:<\/strong> \u201cYes, I remember Meaka. How is her anxiety and depression?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cHer anxiety has been exacerbated over the last couple of weeks, and as a result she hasn\u2019t been going to school. She has felt quite sad and gloomy over the last week, which is when the thoughts of suicide emerged.\u201d<\/p>\n

Therapist:<\/strong> \u201cI recall this is how it began last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cYes, she also indicated that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Therapist:<\/strong> \u201cCan you remind me whether she still lives with her father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cYes, she does, and he is with her at home right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Therapist:<\/strong> \u201cOkay, let\u2019s get her in for an appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Discussions that occur among healthcare professionals while providing client care.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Physician:<\/strong> \u201cI am just about to insert the central venous catheter, could you shift the light a little this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nurse:<\/strong> \u201cYes, no problem. I have the IV primed, just let me know when you want me to hand it to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Physician:<\/strong> \u201cWill do. Ms. Bykov, you will feel a slight pinch, if you can stay still.\u201d<\/p>\n

Client:<\/strong> \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Activity: Check Your Understanding<\/h2>\n
\n