Colleen O'Leary on Open Communication Between Physicians and Nurses

Colleen O’Leary, MSN, RN, AOCNS, Associate Director of Nursing Education and of Evidence-Based Practice at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center explains how nurses and physicians can communicate with one another better.

Physicians and nurses are taught to communicate in very different ways. Physicians tend to give the highlights of information, whereas nurses often go into more detail. This can make communication frustrating between the two professions. However, both groups have the common goal of helping the patients. By being open to other communication styles, doctors and nurses can come together.