Developing Emotional Intelligence (EI) skills strengthens the essential attitude component in palliative care competencies (Competency = Skills + Knowledge + Attitude). Healthcare providers with high EI recognize how emotions impact experiences. They use their skills to build trust, show empathy, adapt to new situations and deliver exceptional patient- and family-centred care. Providers with strong EI skills provide more effective care, communicate better, and work more effectively in interdisciplinary teams. Discover which EI skills every healthcare provider should have and how applying the top 5 EI skills can benefit patients, families, and healthcare providers.
Developing and using EI skills fosters an attitude that elevates palliative care competencies beyond just skills and knowledge. These Emotional Intelligence Practice Aids provide quick and easy tips to shift attitudes and create strong EI skills. The easy-to-use one-page resources help to develop mindfulness, enhance communication, improve decision-making, build stronger relationships, cultivate empathy, and prioritize self-care. Download these aids as a quick reminder to practice and build EI skills daily.
Emotional self-awareness allows one to recognize and understand one’s feelings and their influence on thoughts and behaviour—an essential skill when supporting patients and families in sensitive, emotional situations. The 5-step mindfulness practice is a quick and easy way to be present and acknowledge thoughts, feelings, and physical surroundings without rushing to react.
Adapting communication style to different situations and individuals is essential in palliative care as it fosters connections, builds relationships, ensures understanding, and creates a supportive environment. The D.I.S.C. model is an easy-to-reference tool for identifying and adapt ing communication styles to be better heard and understood.
Good decision-making combines rational analysis, emotional insight, and intuitive judgment. This process is essential to support choices that prioritize patient well-being and promote holistic care. The F.A.C.T.S. model provides a simple step process for comparing beliefs and assumptions to facts, ensuring well-informed and unbiased decisions.
Strong interpersonal relationship skills are crucial for care planning and collaborative practice. They help build trust, ensure active listening, and facilitate interdisciplinary teamwork. The B.O.N.D.S. approach is an easy-to-use way to build strong interpersonal and professional relationships.
Empathy is understanding and sharing another person’s feelings and perspectives. Reframing is a technique for building empathy, changing how a situation is perceived and opening up new opportunities and insights. The “catch it, check it, change it” method helps reframing by identifying and changing negative or unproductive thoughts or situations.
The “River of Well-Being” is an effective strategy for managing stress and dealing with compassion fatigue. When external pressures and internal conflicts disrupt emotional and mental equilibrium, this approach is a vital tool for self-care. The S.H.I.F.T. model enhances reflection and provides examples of successfully navigating the river of well-being.
These 23 self-directed online courses (12 for Registered Nurses and 11 for Personal Support Workers) strengthen the essential attitude component of palliative care competencies (Competency = Skills + Knowledge + Attitude). These practical courses introduce EI to help palliative care providers navigate the emotional complexities involved when supporting someone with a life-limiting illness. The 20-minute interactive microlearning courses let learners review the content in small, manageable chunks, making it convenient to incorporate into busy schedules while promoting better retention of information.
This project has been made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
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