In a fast-paced and emotionally charged healthcare environment, effective communication is essential to Family Support Practitioners for building trust and increasing vaccine confidence in clients. In a recent webinar, ‘Applying TVC Principles to Vaccine Conversations’, Susan Jack, professor of nursing at McMaster university, highlighted some helpful strategies for Family Support Practitioners on how to talk about vaccines with families and clients.
Whether discussing sensitive topics like vaccine hesitancy or addressing the needs of individuals who have experienced trauma, healthcare professionals must navigate these conversations with empathy, compassion, and skill. Below are some of the highlights:
Understanding Emotional Responses
“Healthcare professionals must remain attuned to emotional cues from clients, adjusting their approach as needed to maintain rapport and foster trust.”
Family Support Practitioners should recognize and respond to emotional cues from clients and tailor their communication styles and approaches accordingly. By acknowledging and validating these emotions, professionals can create a supportive environment and open dialogue and collaboration.
Utilizing Mirror Neurons
“Understanding the concept of mirror neurons highlights the physiological basis for empathy, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s responses with the emotional state of the client.”
Mirror neurons play a crucial role in social interactions. By mirroring the emotions and actions of others, Family Support Practitioners can empathize with clients and establish a connection based on shared emotions, fostering a sense of trust and understanding.
Practicing Reflective Listening
“Reflective listening serves as a powerful tool for deepening understanding and connection, allowing healthcare professionals to validate the client’s experiences and emotions.”
Reflective listening involves actively listening to the client’s concerns and reflecting back their thoughts and emotions. This approach demonstrates empathy, validates the client’s experiences, and helps with forming a deeper connection and establishing effective communication.
Avoiding Judgement and Assumptions
“By setting aside personal judgments and assumptions, healthcare professionals create a safe space for clients to express themselves authentically, fostering a collaborative and supportive relationship.”
Judgement-free communication allows clients to feel respected and understood, encouraging them to share their thoughts and concerns openly. Healthcare professionals who refrain from making assumptions demonstrate empathy and create an environment filled with trust and cooperation.
Offering Support and Validation
“Validation of the client’s experiences acknowledges their emotions and struggles, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding that strengthens the therapeutic alliance.“
Validating the client’s experiences, emotions, and experiences helps to form trust and rapport between healthcare professionals and clients. This validation creates a supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood, leading to more effective communication and positive outcomes.
Continued Learning and Resources
“Continuous education and access to resources empower healthcare professionals to refine their communication skills and adapt to evolving patient needs, ensuring high-quality care delivery.“
Ongoing education and access to resources are essential for healthcare professionals to stay updated on best practices and evidence-based approaches to communication. By investing in their professional development, professionals can enhance their communication skills and deliver more effective care to their clients.
By leaning on communication skills and adopting trauma and violence-informed approaches, healthcare professionals can create a supportive and empathetic environment for clients. Through using the strategies highlighted by Susan in this webinar, professionals can build trust, foster positive relationships, and ultimately, improve both vaccine confidence and competence within Canadian families.
To learn more about how you can use Trauma and Violence Informed Care in addressing vaccines with families, watch the full webinar* here.
*Note: the webinar is only available in English
