Patient Presents
Patient History
Physical Exam
Follow-up Conference
Test Results
Rheumatology Referral
Referral Results
Medical Treatment
Self-Management Skills
• Coping and Stress
• Physical Activity
• Managing Medications
• Nutrition
• Alternative Health Care
• Benefits of Self-Management
Patient's Perspective
Review
References
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Self-Management Skills
Communication
Communication includes all the different people and situations an individual may encounter daily. For a person with a chronic illness such as lupus a typical day may include visits with family, friends, employer and health care team. Some simple tips may help Mrs. Evan in her daily encounters.
- Effective communication involves more than one person.
- Be clear and concise.
- Use "I" messages. "I feel..."
- Acknowledge the other person and his/her message.
- If clarification is needed, ask the person to rephrase what was said or rephrase what the person said.
- Non-verbal communication sends an important message.
- Humor is sometimes useful when a conversation goes in the wrong direction. Knowing when to use humor is important.
A patient should learn to communicate effectively with members of the health care team. The patient needs to get her message across to the health care professional in the limited time available. The patient can practice this by using a Communication Action Plan.
This plan should be something the patient wants to do and it should answer important points she wants to make during the appointment with the health care professional.
| Where (location): | At my next appointment with my physician. |
| When (time of day): | Next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. |
| How often (days of week): | One day each week I will summarize how I feel and concerns I need to communicate at my next appointment. |
| What (message do I want to communicate): | To narrow my information to give to the doctor to my three most important issues to be addressed during my appointment. |
| Fall back plan (what to do if ...): | If I am unable to complete my list on Friday each week, I will jot a reminder on my appointment calendar for the following Monday morning. |
| How sure (0 - 10 see scale below*): | 8 |
* This rating scale helps you determine how certain you are that you can accomplish your plan. 0 = I cannot do this plan and 10 = I am sure I can do this plan.
"On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being totally uncertain and 10 being totally certain, how sure am I that I can accomplish this plan?" If your score is below 7, ask yourself how you can change the plan to make it achievable. A score of 7 or above represents a realistic plan.
A person who wishes to improve her skills can use a form of this plan for any area of self-management.
School of Health Professions
University of Missouri-Columbia
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Last Update: Feb 15 2011