Under Construction - MHWA Retreat

Can you think of any specific situations where you used words to fix a problem? What about a situation where your words caused more harm than good?

Interesting that this is the topic for the week. A few weeks ago I learned just how the words we choose can be misinterpreted. I have a patient that I work with often who has Huntington's disease. He can walk but is a fall risk, so we try to keep him in his wheelchair. Most of the time his chair is right next to the nurse's station in order for him to constantly be watched because he gets restless and starts trying to get out of his chair and walk around. When I can take a breath and document on the computer, I get him so he can hang with me. One thing I taught him was to follow me by walking with his feet, meaning walk his feet while sitting in the wheelchair. The idea behind it was a good thing because it gave him some independence and also kept him from trying to stand and walk around. Seems totally harmless, right?

Well, the term "walking" with his feet was a bad choice. He understood what I meant, but it was misinterpreted by others recently. Someone was passing by and asked why the leg rests were off of his wheelchair. I told them that it is so he can walk with his feet. Next thing I know the individual was saying, "Oh, he can walk?" Then a resident said, "Ya, he can walk. He's always getting out of his chair and even walks to his room." Before I could explain that I was not referring to actual walking, the patient stood up to show off how he could walk while the wheelchair was not locked and fell. Luckily he was alright, but it was a huge lesson on how easily our words can be misinterpreted.

How powerful are words? Are people responsible if their words are used for insidious purposes?

I think that is when we need to step back and examine if we were misunderstood or if someone twisted our words to mean something different. If we were misunderstood then it is good to evaluate how we could do better next time and/or correct the misunderstanding.

How would you define "good" communication? When people communicate with you, what communication style do you prefer?

I've been told that I over-explain. Often times I am told to get to the point. Although, apparently I make a good teacher because every job I am in they end up making me a trainer for new employees. This job, I think chooses me because I do all my ADLs with patients, where others don't, so they want them to see how to get that stuff done. At least that is what I was told by my DON.

Preferably, I like the blunt type of communication. I mean, don't skirt around the issue, making me guess what you want or are unhappy with, just tell me. I'm a horrible guesser. This doesn't mean blurting out rude crap you might regret saying later. If you are upset, maybe take a breather, then come back and say what the issue is.

Anyway
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **