How to help patients feel better?

Effective Strategies to Help Patients Feel Better

The most effective approach to helping patients feel better is through empathic communication that acknowledges emotions, uses simple language tailored to the patient's educational level, and provides relevant information in manageable amounts while checking for understanding. 1

Empathic Communication Techniques

• Acknowledge and name emotions when patients display them verbally or nonverbally (e.g., "You seem sad today" or "Help me understand how you're feeling about what we discussed") 1
• Use partnership and supporting statements that demonstrate commitment to the patient's wellbeing (e.g., "I want to make sure we do everything we can to get you the best outcome") 1
• Practice "reflective listening" by summarizing what the patient said using their own words, which reinforces their expressions of concerns and reveals potential misunderstandings 2
• Ask patients what they are most concerned about and explore what is behind strong emotions (e.g., "Tell me what you are worried about" or "What has been the hardest part of all this for you?") 1
• Respond empathically to patient emotion rather than trying to reduce distress by minimizing bad news or changing the subject 1

Information Delivery Strategies

• Use simple language tailored to the patient's educational level, as patients may be intelligent but still have low health literacy 1
• Avoid medical jargon and explain in lay language when technical terminology must be used 1
• Provide information in small doses, stopping frequently to check for comprehension 1
• Check for understanding using a "teach back" method with statements like "In your own words, what does this mean to you?" 1
• Provide information in multiple formats (words, numbers, ranges) and use mixed framing when discussing outcomes 1

Establishing Psychological Well-being

• Screen for psychological distress using validated tools like PHQ-9 for depression and GAD-7 for anxiety 1
• Introduce the concept that psychological well-being, not just absence of distress, is important to health 1
• Ask specific questions about psychological well-being related to optimism, life satisfaction, social support, life purpose, and positive affect 1
• Make tailored recommendations for activities that promote psychological well-being, such as engaging in valued hobbies or enjoyable physical activities 1
• "Prescribe" specific activities that tend to one's well-being, explaining that psychological well-being is associated with better health outcomes 1

Setting Healthy Boundaries

• Create a safe environment for patients to discuss boundary issues, maintaining a calm demeanor and non-threatening body language 3
• Help patients establish reasonable and respectful limits in their relationships with statements like "It's important that we respect each other" 3
• Coach patients on how to maintain control in challenging interpersonal situations 3
• Develop specific behavioral scripts with patients for setting boundaries in challenging situations 3
• Practice boundary-setting scenarios through role-play to build patient confidence 3

Supporting Patients with Specific Conditions

For Patients with Cancer

• Nursing interventions to manage breathlessness can improve both physical symptoms and psychological well-being 1
• Specialized clinic-based nursing programs can increase patient satisfaction, decrease dyspnea, and improve emotional functioning 1
• Brief educational programs combining symptom management with relaxation therapy can improve subjective breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety, and functional ability 1
• Counseling sessions can provide benefits in depression intensity, life satisfaction, and self-esteem 1

For Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Be aware of the psychological impact of IBD, including anxiety, depression, and distress 1
• Conduct routine screening for signs of psychological morbidity with validated scales 1
• Consider referrals to formal psychological counseling and support for patients demonstrating higher levels of concern 1
• Recommend interventions such as cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, or pharmacological agents like selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors when appropriate 1

Cautions and Monitoring

• Be cautious about providing information when patients are emotional, as they often have difficulty absorbing and processing information in a strongly emotional state 1
• Monitor patients on antidepressants for emergence of agitation, irritability, unusual changes in behavior, and suicidal thoughts, especially within the first few months of treatment 4
• Screen patients with depressive symptoms for bipolar disorder before initiating antidepressant treatment 4
• Follow up regularly with patients to assess compliance with psychological/psychosocial referrals and satisfaction with these services 1
• If symptom reduction and satisfaction with treatment are poor after 8 weeks despite good compliance, alter the treatment course 1

By implementing these evidence-based strategies, healthcare providers can significantly improve patients' emotional well-being, enhance their ability to cope with illness, and ultimately improve health outcomes.