We’re Human, Too: Hidden Dynamics in Our Communication with Clients
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 R-CERP, 1 Nurse Contact Hours, 0.1 Midwifery CEU
- Handout: Yes
Abstract:
On the best of days, providing quality lactation care to families in the perinatal time period is a challenging endeavor. IBCLCs, for example, are mandated to effectively utilize history taking and assessment skills, a broad collection of skills to assist the dyad, general problem-solving skills, skills related to techniques and devices, and skills needed to develop, implement and evaluate an individualized feeding plan in consultation with the client. Communication skills are the bedrock of everything a lactation supporter must do. Our training in this area logically tends to focus on understanding and responding to the human context of the dyad. However, there are two sides to communication in a lactation-related encounter: the client and the care provider. And, care providers are also human. In spite of our compassion and good intentions, we are impacted by the stresses, losses, and traumas of life, which can then impact our ability to work well with our clients. This presentation addresses common challenges in the lactation supporter’s own context (such as cognitive load, burnout, and traumatic triggers), their impact on communication, and strategies that can help us improve our ability to communicate effectively with our clients.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: List 3 kinds of life challenges lactation supporters commonly face that can impact both them and their ability to communicate effectively with clients;
Objective 2: Describe 3 impacts that a care provider’s own life challenges can have on their ability to communicate effectively with clients;
Objective 3: Describe 3 strategies that care providers can use to lessen the impact of their own life challenges on their ability to communicate effectively with clients.
