Patient narratives 4: the meaning behind communication

This article is the fourth of a seven-part series that explores how patient narratives help us reflect on patient care. In previous articles we have explored themes related to communication, consent and power. This article explores how we use language to explain treatment in care and how it can be interpreted differently by patients and staff. Patients’ narratives can help nurses reflect on the language they use to explain treatment and care to patients as their choice of words can be easily misinterpreted.