In the scientific article “The Iowa Continuity of Care Study: Background and Methods” researchers discuss the importance of hospital pharmacists’ communication with patients stressing that comfortable communication results in improved health of patients increasing their mood, overall health conditions and treatment outcomes. Nonetheless, the key argument is that communication process requires enhancements, especially development of new communication strategies. In particular, the article is a case study of 1,000 patients with selected medical conditions.
The patients were selected in one of the large Midwest hospitals. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group was randomized to usual care with minimal intervention, whereas the second group was randomized to enhanced medical intervention with medical verification, medication teaching and professional counselling. Thus, researchers have revealed that facilitated communication between the pharmacist and patient result in better treatment outcomes, and all medical problems are faster resolved.
The researchers recommend community medical settings to improve communication in care plans as it will optimize medication use. The article is directly related to nursing profession because nursing field is strongly associated with communication between the nurse and the patient. Communication is the most vital skill for the nurse. Thus, the article contributes significantly to nursing field providing nurses with necessary recommendations why and how to improve communication in care plans.
Nurses should pay more attention to communication with patients as it establishes more trustful relations and improves patient’s treatment outcomes. Summing up, researchers argue that effective communication helps to establish burse-patient relationships, to express effectively concern for patient, and to provide health care information.
References Carter, B. , Farris, K. B. , Abramowitz, P. W. , Weetman, D. B. , Kaboli, P. J. , Dawson, J. D. , James, P. A. , Christensen, A. J. , & Brooks, J. M. (2008). The Iowa Continuity of Care Study: Background and Methods. AmJ Health-Syst Pharm, 65, 17, pp. 1631-1642.