How to use intentional silence

Abstract

Rationale and key points This article explains intentional silence, which can provide a therapeutic nursing presence that demonstrates compassion and respect for the patient. » Intentional silence can enhance the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and patient. » Intentional silence can be used to reduce the patient's emotional lability by ensuring that they feel listened to. » It is important that nurses are able to respond therapeutically to rhetorical statements and/or those concerning serious or severe clinical circumstances. » The nurse can use intentional silence to support the patient in acknowledging, processing and reflecting on changes in their health. Reflective activity 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: 1. How this article will change your practice. 2. How you could use this article to educate your colleagues. Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at rcni.com/portfolio.

Nursing Presence in Pediatric Oncology: A Scoping Review

“…Silence was also considered an effective form of nonverbal communication that displayed an authentic presence. Kemerer (2016) affirms that silence can enhance therapeutic relationships by providing a presence that demonstrates understanding and respect for the patient. Findings is this review revealed communication as an essential attribute to nursing presence in pediatric oncology.…”

Toward a psychology of silence.

“…Collective writings that have addressed silence and its potential benefits in the contexts of psychological and physical health and healing have comprised both Eastern (e.g., Panikkar, 1977; Rama, 1996; Veda Bharati, 2004) and Western commentaries (e.g., Huxley, 1970; James, 1977; Picard, 2002). These sources are representative in that they address the experience of silence as essentially interrelated with a variety of significant areas of psychological interest including: (a) developing mental and emotional stability (Rama & Ajaya, 1979), (b) providing a presence that demonstrates compassion and respect in a caregiving setting (Kemerer, 2016), (c) increasing one’s intuitive sensibilities (Confer, 1987; Vaughan & Klimo, 2016), (d) distinguishing cognitive understanding from the felt-knowing of the heart (Welwood, 1990), (e) having a quieter and less reactive mind (Arya, 1978), (f) opening to unconscious processes (Rama, Ballentine, & Ajaya, 1976), (g) resolving conflicts and creating peace (Veda Bharati, 2013), (h) promoting physical, mental, and emotional healing (O’Brien, 2007), (i) deepening spiritual awareness (Tigunait, 1996), and (j) exploring one’s inner self (Nuernberger, 1996). These same writings tell us that (a) all of these benefits are part of a larger commitment to self-inquiry or internal dialogue in the process of personal development (Rama, 2000), and (b) the primary means for expanding and deepening this inner stillness and exploration are contemplative practices such as meditation (e.g., Ballentine, 1986; Johnsen, 2000; Sovik, 2007) and the intentional practice of maintaining silence that calms and stills the mind (Veda Bharati, 2004).…”

<b>Polaridades vivenciadas por estudantes de enfermagem na aprendizagem da comunicação: perspectivas do pensamento complexo/ Polarities experienced by nursing students in learning the communication: perspectives of thought complex<b>

“…A linguagem e o silêncio são dois elementos que constituem a comunicação, uma vez que os indivíduos, ao mesmo tempo, se expressam e se ocultam. Pensar no silêncio é colocar-se além dos limites do diálogo, percebendo a relação com o outro de forma complexa, contraditória e complementar (17) .…”

“…Não é apenas a falta de palavras, o vazio, nem mesmo a sombra do verbal: é uma maneira diferente de significar, o silêncio significa algo (16) . O silêncio intencional (17) pode demonstrar compaixão e respeito ao paciente, ser utilizado para reduzir a labilidade emocional dele, para apoiá-lo em reconhecer, processar e refletir sobre mudanças em sua saúde, garantindo que ele se sinta ouvido.…”