Communication skills in work with patients who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder and their family members

Posttraumatski stresni poremećaj je duševni poremećaj koji se može javiti u osoba koje su proživjele vrlo jaki i životno ugrožavajući događaj. Traumatski događaj za svakog čovjeka je iznenadni, neočekivani, neugodni i na takve događaje osoba nije spremna. Traumatsko iskustvo ostavlja trajne psihičke, emocionalne, ponašajne i tjelesne posljedice s kojima se traumatizirana osoba svakodnevno teško nosi. Narušena joj je kvaliteta zdravlja i života. Osoba više nije ista kakva je bila prije traume. To najbolje prepoznaje i uočava njezina obitelj koja najviše pati. Psihotraumatizirani se udaljava i otuđuje od svoje obitelji, ne može normalno funkcionirati u radnom i obiteljskom okruženju i ono što je karakteristika, ne samo oboljelog nego i članova njegove obitelji, je osjećaj bespomoćnosti koji se javlja. Članovi obitelji ne znaju kako i na koji način pomoći. Potrebno je reagirati na vrijeme i potražiti pomoć. Za uspješno liječenje važno je da sudjeluje i obitelj pacijenta jer bi mu ona trebala biti najveća potpora i podrška i uvelike može utjecati na tijek i ishod liječenja. Prvi kontakt pacijenta i njegove obitelji s liječnikom je kroz medicinski intervju. Intervju je oblik komunikacije kojem je cilj uspostavljanje partnerskog odnosa u kojem se pacijent, članovi njegove obitelji i liječnik međusobno poštuju, cijene, uvažavaju i stječu povjerenje jedni u druge. Važne komunikacijske vještine kojima se to postiže su aktivno slušanje i empatija. Vještine se mogu naučiti i moraju se vježbati. Uspješna i kvalitetna komunikacija je najvažnija jer je preduvjet uspješnog liječenja.Posttraumatic stress disorder is a mental disorder which can occur in persons who have suffered a very strong and life-threatening event. A traumatic event for any person is a sudden, unexpected and unpleasant occurrence for which a person is not prepared. Traumatic experience can leave permanent psychological, emotional, behavioral and physical consequences with which the traumatized person has difficulty dealing on a daily basis. The health and life quality of such persons is impaired. They are not the same as they were before the trauma had occurred. This is best acknowledged and recognized by the person’s family, who suffers the most. Psychotraumatized persons distance and alienate themselves from their family. Further, they cannot function normally at their work and in their family surroundings. Furthermore, they experience a feeling of helplessness, which is characteristic for the traumatized person and their family as well. The family members do not know how to help. It is important to react on time and to look for help. For the treatment to be successful it is crucial for the family to participate because it should act as the biggest support for the patient. Also, the inclusion of the family in the treatment is good for mending broken family relationships. The first contact of the patient and their family with the doctor happens during a medical interview. The medical interview is a form of communication which aims at establishing a partnership in which the patient, their family members and the doctor mutually respect and appreciate one another and gain each other’s trust. Active listening and empathy are the communication skills important for achieving that. These skills can be learned and need to be practiced. Successful and quality communication is most important because it is the precondition of a successful treatment