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Best Practices for Effective Communication

1. Use the SBAR Method (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
o Situation: Clearly state the reason for communication (e.g., patient with
suspected fracture, abnormal neurological findings, or worsening symptoms).
o Background: Provide relevant patient history, including mechanism of injury and
previous interventions.
o Assessment: Summarize key examination findings, such as swelling, deformity,
restricted ROM, or neurovascular compromise.
o Recommendation: Suggest the next steps (e.g., imaging, orthopedic consultation,
immediate immobilization, or emergency intervention).
2. Ensure Clarity and Precision
o Avoid vague terminology; use specific anatomical and clinical terms.
o Differentiate between objective findings (e.g., “palpable deformity over the distal
radius”) and subjective complaints (e.g., “patient reports sharp wrist pain”).
o If applicable, describe changes over time, noting any worsening symptoms or
improvements.
3. Maintain Proper Documentation
o Record all findings in the patient’s medical chart, ensuring accuracy and
completeness.
o Include vital details such as the time of assessment, observed symptoms, and any
interventions performed.
o Ensure compliance with legal and institutional documentation standards.
4. Effective Verbal Communication
o Maintain professionalism when relaying information to physicians, nurses, and
radiology teams.
o Use structured hand-off techniques to ensure smooth transitions of care,
particularly in emergency or surgical settings.
o Confirm understanding by requesting clarification or repeating key points as
needed.
5. Utilizing Technology for Communication
o Utilize electronic medical records (EMR) for documentation and data-sharing
with the healthcare team.
o Securely transmit digital images or X-rays when necessary to facilitate remote
consultations.
o Ensure adherence to HIPAA compliance when sharing patient information.
6. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
o Engage in discussions with other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient
care effectively.
o Participate in multidisciplinary rounds, if applicable, to provide insights on patient
status and response to treatment.
o Foster teamwork by understanding the roles of different specialists and how they
contribute to patient care.

Common Communication Scenarios in Orthopaedic Practice