S.O.L.E.R Way of Communication in Nursing

 

Ms. Nandini

Clinical Instructor, Army College of Nursing, Deep Nagar, Jalandhar Cantt, Punjab - 144005

 

ABSTRACT:

The theory for non-verbal communication which stands for “S-sit squarely, O- open posture, L- L-Leaning, E-Eye Contact, R-Relaxed”. This theory is given by EGAN (1975) he explains SOLER as an aid for teaching and learning about non verbal communication. This is a non-verbal listening process used in communication, and as part of the training. In nursing profession also it may be widely used with its practical application in both education and clinical practice.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Communication occurs in many ways and across endless mediums. Technology has ushered in the ultra-connected era. In reality Non-verbal communication is the exchange of messages or signals by the use of nonverbal ways such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and the distance between individuals. ¹

 

The S.O.L.E.R. describes “active listening “, or an expression to physically transmit your message. Active listening means giving your full attention to:

The verbal message

The tone of voice

The person’s posture

The person’s gesture

Understand thoughts, feeling and behavior.

 

The theory was created by author, Gerard Egan a psychologist. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. Egan was the Professor of Organization Studies and Psychology and Programme Director for the Centre for Organization Development at Loyola University of Chicago.  His model is used now days in clinical counseling and professional settings worldwide, and can be incredibly useful in any situation as a baseline for better listening. It’s an acronym that stands for:

 

S-SIT SQUARELY:

The health educator should sit squarely for the effective listening skills. Otherwise the patient will think that the educator is not interested in his conversation.  Sitting squarely to someone makes feel like you are with them.

 

O- OPEN POSTURE:

The open body posture is the key for active listening. This includes avoiding crossing arms and legs. Crossing your arms or legs may appear as if you are being defensive to the other person where as open posture says that you are open and available to the person.

 

L-LEANING:

Slightly forward lean towards the client indicates an eagerness to learn more. Leaning in towards the client every now and again tells them you are interested in what they want to say.

 

 

E-EYE CONTACT:

The good and proper eye contact encourage the speaker to continue. Eye contacts give the speaker a confidence to speak by giving by support that the listener is listening carefully.

 

R- RELAXED:

To avoid the false perception of hurry and artificial communication a relaxed posture is needed. ²

 

 

Factors influence communication-

Locution-

It refers to the message that what the speaker is going to said???

 

Illocution-

It refers to the intention of the speaker that what the client wants to say and how the client wants to present the massage.

 

Per locution-

It refers to the way in which the listener receives the massage it also includes the interpretations or miscommunication. ³

 

Factors affecting communication

Culture-

Culture play a big role in the communication process. It is the acceptance of the message as it is the sender wants to say. E.g. the sender says hello and the receiver replies Namaste.

 

Language –

poor choice of language or words also affect the communication procedure, if the sender or receiver does not know one another’s language that is a big barrier in communication. Also the language disabilities, noise, distance, use of similes, affect the communication process.

 

Misunderstanding of the message –

this is a common thing in a communication but it could create a problem for the company. Communication in between the persons also fails when people understood the different meaning of some word.

 

Past experiences-

strongly determine the effectiveness of further communication. If any one of the person involved in communication has bitter experience. Then the future communication also gets affected.

 

Attention-

attention affects in many ways. Superiors usually pay less attention to any message from their subordinates. Also, subordinates try to avoid any instruction from the superiors to avoid the workload.

·       Perception

·       Clarity of message

·       Choice of channel

·       Being seen as too busy

·       Fear of losing control

·       Being frightened of upsetting the patient

·       Time pressure

·       Surrounding noise⁴

 

Role of Nurse in SOLER way of communication

·       Record medical history and symptoms.

·       Collaborate with team to plan for patient care.

·       Advocate for health and wellbeing of patient.

·       Monitor patient health and record signs.

·       Administer medications and treatments.

·       Operate medical equipment.

·       Perform diagnostic tests.

 

Educate patients about management of illnesses. The patient is the first priority of the nurse. The role of the nurse is to advocate for the best interests of the patient and to maintain the patient’s dignity throughout treatment and care. This may include making suggestions in the treatment plan of patients, in collaboration with other health professionals.

 

SUMMARY:

There is evidence that the SOLER framework has been widely used in nurse education with little published critical appraisal. A new acronym that might be appropriate for non-verbal communication skills training and education is proposed and this is SURETY (which stands for "Sit at an angle"; "Uncross legs and arms"; "Relax"; "Eye contact"; "Touch"; "Your intuition"). The proposed model advances the SOLER model by including the use of touch and the importance of individual intuition is emphasised. The model encourages student nurse educators to also think about therapeutic space when they teach skills of non-verbal communication.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

I would like to thank Mr. Sagar K. for help in the preparation of this article

 

REFERENCES:

1.      Arthur, d., 1999. Assessing nursing students basic communication and interviewing skills: the development and testing a rating scale. Journal of advanced nursing 29(3),658-665

2.      Faulkner, A (2001) effective interaction with patients,2^nd edition Churchill livingstone, London

3.      Department of health,2008. High quality care for all. crown, London

4.      https://collegegrad.com/careers/registered-nurses

 

 

 

 

 

Received on 15.10.2019         Modified on 17.11.2019

Accepted on 04.12.2019      ©A&V Publications All right reserved