Abstract
This article on effective communication is the first in a series that aims to support student nurses and registered nurses across all fields to deliver talking therapies with confidence in their everyday work. Effective communication is vital in all healthcare settings and is a core proficiency on which student nurses are assessed. This article introduces some communication models that nurses can use to guide effective interactions with patients of all ages; the models are applicable across a range of clinical environments. The article focuses on empowering nurses to feel confident in interacting with people with mental ill health who are receiving medical care in general care settings, as nurses can find this particularly challenging.
Citation: Owens M et al (2026) Effective communication with patients managing mental health issues. Nursing Times; 122: 1.
Authors: Mark Owens, Jane Killough and Ciara Hood are lecturers in education; Deirdre O’Neill is senior lecturer, all at School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast.
