NURSE – Tips & Tricks behind the An acronym

Using PEARLS in patient interactions helps establish a strong emotional connection, making patients feel heard, respected, and cared for, which is essential for building trust and improving outcomes.

There are several other acronyms used in healthcare to enhance communication, empathy, and patient engagement. Some of the most common ones include:

Many of these acronyms were developed collaboratively by different medical professionals, educators, and institutions, so it’s difficult to pinpoint a single author for each one. Here’s what is known about the origin of some of the commonly used acronyms:

1. **SPIKES**:
   – Developed by **Dr. Robert Buckman**, a British-Canadian oncologist. He created SPIKES

as a structured protocol for delivering bad news to patients.

1. **SPIKES** (For delivering bad news)
   – **S**etting: Ensure privacy and comfort, choose an appropriate setting. – **P**erception: Assess the patient’s understanding of the situation.
   – **I**nvitation: Ask how much detail the patient wants to know.
   – **K**nowledge: Provide information clearly, avoiding medical jargon.
   – **E**motions: Acknowledge and validate the patient’s emotions.
   – **S**trategy & Summary: Outline the next steps and treatment plans.
2. NURSE(For handling emotions)
3. NURSE
   – Widely used in healthcare settings, this acronym is a framework often taught in medical

schools and communication workshops. It is commonly attributed to the field of medical education without a specific named creator but has been popularized through communication training programs.

N**ame: Name the emotion the patient is feeling (e.g., “It seems you’re feeling frustrated”). U**nderstand: Show understanding of the patient’s situation.
R**espect: Express respect for how they’re handling the situation.
S**upport: Offer reassurance and support.

E**xplore: Ask questions to explore their concerns more deeply. 3. **BATHE** (For eliciting psychosocial context)

3. **BATHE**:
   – Developed by **Stuart J. Fishman, MD**, a psychiatrist, and **Herbert M. Fritsche**, a

medical educator. BATHE is designed to elicit the psychosocial aspects of patient care.

– **B**ackground: Ask about the background of the problem or issue.
– **A**ffect: Explore how the patient feels about the problem.
– **T**rouble: Ask what aspect of the issue is troubling them the most. – **H**andling: Inquire how the patient is currently managing or coping. – **E**mpathy: Express understanding and empathy for their situation.

4. **LEARN** (For cultural competency)
5. **LEARN**:
   – Introduced by **Dr. Berlin and Dr. Fowkes**, the LEARN model was developed to enhance

cultural competency in healthcare settings and facilitate cross-cultural communication.

– **L**isten: Actively listen to the patient’s perspective.
– **E**xplain: Provide your own explanation for the issue.
– **A**cknowledge: Recognize similarities and differences between both perspectives. – **R**ecommend: Suggest a treatment plan that aligns with both views.
– **N**egotiate: Work together to agree on a plan that respects cultural values.

5. **ABCDE** (For emotional support and bad news delivery)
6. **ABCDE**:
   – This framework is commonly used in palliative care and end-of-life discussions. It is a

widely recognized communication tool, but the acronym is often attributed to various palliative care guides and medical institutions, rather than a specific individual.

Many of these frameworks come from collective work in medical communication and are refined over time by different healthcare institutions. Would you like more information on any specific framework?

– **A**dvance preparation: Prepare yourself mentally and have all necessary information ready.

– **B**uild a therapeutic environment: Ensure privacy, allow time for discussion.

– **C**ommunicate well: Use simple language, clarify medical terms, and avoid overwhelming the patient.

– **D**eal with patient reactions: Be ready to provide emotional support.

– **E**ncourage and validate emotions: Reassure the patient that their reactions are normal.

These acronyms serve as helpful frameworks for clinicians to navigate complex emotional and communication challenges in healthcare, while keeping patient-centered care at the forefront.

Would you like to dive deeper into one of these frameworks?