Importance of Body Language in Nursing Communication

Importance of Body Language in Nursing Communication:

Body language is of utmost importance in this highly competitive world. The corporate sector values good body language a lot and any sign of bad body language can break deals, even leading to loss of network for people.

An old adage says “Actions speak louder than words". Our body posture, along with its movements and placement of different body parts, play an important role in letting out our feelings and emotions, even if we don’t display the emotions voluntarily.

Studies shows that non-verbal communication represents over 55 percent of all communication. If that estimate is accurate, then positive body language is essential to nursing communication, because we have a patient – nurse professional relationship, our conversations must be therapeutic, goal directed and aimed at helping patients heal. Those conversations not only include what we say but how we say it.

Kinesics are the study of non-verbal communication. This include body movements such as nodding, smiling and expressions. Additionally, proxemics comes into play – the amount of physical space between you and the person you are speaking to.

Nursing care team members use body language to establish rapport with patients, clarify their needs and plan care. The study classified body language characteristics of humanized care, which involves, in addition to technical, non-technical issues arising from nursing communication.

The Role of Nursing in Patient and Family Comfort:

Nurses have a large role in making patients and loved ones feel more comfortable both physically and emotionally.

When nurses show interest, empathy and understanding, patients feel more encouraged to be better participants in their healthcare management and invest more trust in their healthcare team.

Healthy provider-patient relationships result in faster diagnoses, more effective treatment plans and better patient outcomes.

Because healthcare systems continue to increase patient numbers and expectations, there simply isn’t enough time during shifts to carry on lengthy, in-depth conversations with every patient. However, investing more time may not be the only or best option.

Patients want answers, but they want those answers presented simply, accurately and with genuine sensitivity for their concerns.

It’s important for them to feel they are understood and that you are genuinely there for them. Patients want to know that they matter, that they aren’t just another chart or number and that you understand the questions they have and reply them. 

Understanding Body Language and Its Role in Communication:

Body language is a form of non-verbal communication that uses eye contact, movements, gestures and facial expressions to convey messages that are used in place of or in combination with verbal messages. Body language can be used to:

• Express emotion
• Convey attitudes
• Demonstrate personality traits
• Support verbal communication

Body language gives a wealth of information to patients and can convey a sense of warmth, empathy, caring, reassurance and support. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, it can also reflect anger, irritation, disinterest or boredom.

Always remember to monitor your body language when addressing patients and their families. Follow these tips to make sure your body language aligns with your verbal messages and intentions.

Think about the following four elements of body language in your communication with patients/clients:

• Pay Attention to Your Facial Expressions:

The face offers a wealth of non-verbal information to listeners. The slightest movements can convey approval, disapproval, happiness, anger, fear or disgust.

Showing even a faint frown while reading a patient’s chart can increase a patient’s anxiety and can damage trust, especially if the patient was given a positive verbal message.

The more complex the patient’s medical situation is the more conscious you must be about facial expressions.

Use facial expressions to show an emotional response when your patient or their loved ones are speaking. If they show concern, make sure to match your expression to show that you are listening with interest.

Make Eye Contact:

Eye contact is essential for connecting with patients and gaining their trust. Though reading charts and taking notes is necessary, focusing too long on these processes can have negative consequences. Avoiding eye contact gives the impression of cold disinterest.

Patients who believe their providers lack interest in their personal care are more likely to withhold valuable information that could be beneficial for successful diagnosis and treatment.

Make sure your eyes and the eyes of your patients are at about the same level. When it becomes necessary to look away from the patient to fulfill your duties, continue to make occasional eye contact to reinforce that you’re still there for the patient.

Face the Patient:

Because nurses are constantly multi-tasking, this is often easier said than done. Reading charts, making notes, setting up equipment and making adjustments of nearly every kind can make it difficult to face patients at all. 

Be aware that turning your back for prolonged periods gives the impression that you are intentionally avoiding the patient.

Patients often feel helpless and vulnerable and are further susceptible to feelings of isolation and avoidance. 

Facing patients is a concrete way to let them know they aren’t invisible. On occasions when turning your back is absolutely necessary, make sure to briefly explain why so patients feel included in the process.

Role of Shoulders:

Many people carry negative emotions, including stress, in these body parts, which could soon lead to chronic back and neck pain. Hunched shoulders or a lowered head are often perceived not as a result of stress, but as worry or a lack of confidence. As a nurse, you should display confidence when dealing with your patients, since this will help them feel trust and confidence in you.

Importance of a Touch:

Touch is a very powerful means of communication. Lightly touching a person’s hand can convey your concern and affection for them. But as with eye contact, the touch has to be appropriate, and there are important cultural issues around touch that need to be understood. It’s also important that patient/clients give permission for you to touch them, something we looked at in more detail in consent.

Role of Hands:

Make sure your hands are open and relaxed. In some cultures, it is rude to have your hands out of sight. Palms should be relaxed and facing the patient openly as much as possible. Try to not fidget with pens or any other items unnecessarily. Your movements should be smooth, rhythmic and purposeful. As you complete tasks with your hands, explain to the patient verbally what you are doing.  

Role of Toes: 

Where are your toes in the room? Proxemics is how much space is between you and the person you are talking to. What are you conveying to the patient by where you are standing in the room? Body spacing and posture according to Edward Hall, author of “The Hidden Dimension,” are unintentional reactions to sensory fluctuations or shifts. These also include subtle changes in the sound and pitch of a person’s voice.

The following summary shows how social distance between people correlates with physical distance as do intimate and personal distance:

Intimate distance for embracing, touching: Less than 6-8 inches.

Personal distance for interaction among good friends or family members: 1.5 feet to 4 feet

Social distance for interaction among acquaintances: 4 feet to 12 feet

Conclusion of the topic:

Non-verbal messages can be more powerful than words. As a nurse, observing patients’ body language can be as important as looking out for clinical symptoms. To be a truly effective communicator, learn how to keep your own body language in check, and how to read patients’ body language. 

Written by:

Dr. Praveen Bajpai

Director of Ingenious Healthcare Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Founder of Skill Sathi

MBA in Hospital administration, PG Diploma in Quality Accreditation, PG Diploma in Medico Legal System, M. Phil in Hospital Mgmt. from BITS Pilani, P.hD in Management, Certified NABH Auditor, Certified NABL Auditor, Certified Auditor for Clinical Audits, Green Belt in Six Sigma, Certified in Hospital Infection Control Practices, Certified trainer for International Patient Safety Goals, Certified Auditor for JCI 7th Edition Standards 

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