"Caremunication"

As I was browsing for articles this week, I came across a website for a company, “Stamp & Chase”. The website includes a statement of “Why We’re Different”. It stated, “Caremunication -- Improving care by improving communication”. The company’s philosophy is that health care communication is complex and because of this, a different approach must be taken. They believe in holistic communication, which they say influences customer satisfaction, patient safety and the work environment. The focus is on front-line staff competencies and behaviors in diverse situations involving patients, families, physicians and colleagues. Primarily focusing on active listening to achieve real understanding and connection with others; emphasis is put on the “how” and not the “what”.

Something I find interesting is the need for a company with services like what Stamp & Chase offer. In other articles about healthcare communication, definitions included words such as influence, inform and awareness. Essentially, taking the basics of communication practices and molding them to influence, inform and make persons aware of medical information. In all my readings, the benefit of healthcare communication is increased interpersonal interactions. When all team members are able to communicate effectively, healthcare is enhanced. Is this not the foundation of what all healthcare personnel are trying to accomplish; to better their patient’s health? If this is true, it seems that healthcare communication should be at the very top of their to-do list.