Communication Dynamics in Healthcare During Pandemics
Summary
Pandemics place unprecedented strain on communication networks across clinical and public health domains. Healthcare organisations must balance rapid dissemination of clinical guidance, risk communication to the public and adaptive dialogue between clinicians and patients. Use of personal protective equipment, physical distancing and remote technologies has altered both verbal and non-verbal interactions, with implications for trust, adherence to interventions and staff wellbeing. Digital platforms have emerged as vital conduits for telemedicine, professional training and misinformation management, while global coordination relies on transparent information sharing. Understanding the interplay between organisational protocols, situational uncertainty and individual communication self-efficacy is central to optimising patient outcomes and equitable access to care during high-stress responses. Empirical and qualitative investigations highlight strategies to bridge information asymmetry, strengthen patient-centred dialogue and support frontline professionals under duress.
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Communication Dynamics in Healthcare During Pandemics publication trend
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Technical terms
Communication self-efficacy: An individual’s belief in their capacity to convey information clearly and confidently under challenging circumstances.
Non-verbal communication: The transmission of meaning through gestures, facial expressions, posture and other unspoken cues.
Information asymmetry: A condition in which one party has greater access to or understanding of information than another, often leading to power imbalances in decision-making.
References
- Communication Self‐Efficacy and Job Satisfaction among Nurses during the COVID‐19 Pandemic. Journal of Nursing Management (2024).
- Doctor-patient communication and trust in doctors during COVID 19 times—A cross sectional study in Chennai, India. PLOS ONE (2021).
- How Did the Pandemic Affect Communication in Clinical Settings? A Qualitative Study with Critical and Emergency Care Nurses. Healthcare (2022).
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