Soft skills play a crucial role in the healthcare support system, significantly enhancing the quality of care provided to individuals in various healthcare environments, such as a nursing home. These interpersonal attributes, often referred to as ‘soft’ skills, encompass the unique qualities of a healthcare professional and are characterised by traits such as communication, empathy, support and compassion. Unlike job-specific technical skills such as administering medication or monitoring vital signs, soft skills focus on building trust, fostering relationships and promoting independence in service users. While both sets of skills are essential for the role, soft skills serve to enhance the overall care experience in diverse ways. In this blog, we’ll delve into some key soft skills that we think every healthcare professional should possess!

Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of healthcare. In nursing homes, for example, service users rely on healthcare workers not only for medical assistance, but also emotional support, through strong communication. Healthcare workers need to convey information in a variety of ways, be it discussing medication schedules or treatment plans or talking with individuals about their needs in the moment and how they’re met. This dialogue between both is often sensitive, therefore a healthcare worker’s communication style should always be empathetic, clear and concise.

Listening

In this same vein, as with communication, listening embodies a deep understanding and empathy towards an individual, and must transcend more than the simple act of hearing. In many cases, individuals in different healthcare settings may grapple with feelings of loneliness or vulnerability, for example, as an elderly person, and a healthcare workers ability to lend a compassionate ear can make a world of difference. By actively listening to an individual’s needs, stories, memories, fears or desires, meaningful connections can be made and additionally, valuable insights can be learnt about an individual to better their quality of care and support.

Emotional Support

While strong communication is important, the ability to engage through emotional support is also imperative. Care and nursing homes have the ability to act as a sanctuary for individuals seeking comfort and companionship. Healthcare workers play a pivotal role in fostering a nurturing and supportive environment, offering solace to residents during times of distress or celebrating moments of joy. By extending a compassionate touch and genuine empathy, healthcare workers can uplift the spirits of service users, providing them with a better sense of meaning, dignity and purpose.

Building Trust

Trust is an important commodity in any relationship, however in healthcare it is essential. People in care or nursing homes – and their family members - must entrust healthcare workers with their well-being, security and safety, and as such, cultivating trust is paramount. Building trust is about demonstrating reliability and respect which fostered confidence and encourages relationship bonds. The ability to build trust will ultimately ensure a stronger care quality for the individual and provide them with a feeling of satisfaction too.

Cultural Competencies

It is equally as important for a healthcare worker to respect all people from various cultural backgrounds, being mindful and sensitive towards diversity, adapting their approach and accommodations accordingly. Being culturally competent and addressing cultural factors that might influence a person’s beliefs, attitudes or behaviours towards health and healthcare ensures better health outcomes and allows healthcare workers to develop better preventative strategies too. Culturally competent care also alights with the principles of health equality, which aims for the highest possible standard of health for all people.

Collaboration

Soft skills are also an essential quality to have outside of interactions with those living in care and nursing homes. Their provision and care is a collaborative effort and as such, seamless team work with other healthcare professionals, like nurses, physicians or therapists is cardinal. Collaboration in a healthcare setting enhances efficiency and effectiveness and improves overall care support through maximising human resources whilst minimising time delays or errors.

Adaptability

Healthcare is a fast-paced environment and adaptability isn’t just a desirable trait but a necessity. Healthcare workers must be prepared to navigate unexpected challenges or rapidly changing circumstances with grace and composure. Whether it’s about adjusting the new protocols or accommodating evolving needs for a service user, healthcare workers must demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in the face of adversity. Being adaptable contributes to a ‘think on your feet’ mentality which has the ability to better support those in care.

The significance of soft skills in healthcare cannot be overstated. As we’ve explored throughout this blog, traits like; communication, empathy and emotional support are not just additional attributes, but rather, integral personal traits and components of providing high-quality care in settings such as nursing homes by truly connecting with individuals on a deeper and more personal level.

We’re exploring more about embracing empathy and sharing soft skills for success on social media - Follow us @deanhealthcare on all your favourite platforms to learn more!