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Interaction for Practice in Community Nursing pp 260–285Cite as

Communicating with Challenging Clients

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Part of the book series: Community Health Care Series ((CHCS))

Abstract

The issue of working with challenging people is one which will be familiar to all community nurses. It is a truism that some clients are more difficult to help than others, due to diagnosis, personal characteristics or poor interpersonal skills, but it is surprising that there is very little in the literature that directly addresses this issue. The guidance that does exist tends to be rather anecdotal in nature and focuses on two areas: first, types of difficulties are delineated and, second, the communication skills thought most appropriate are identified and discussed. This approach is typified, in the business context, by Markham (1993, p. 9) who states:

‘There is no way you can make difficult people change and suddenly become sweet and amenable. Such change can only take place when the individuals concerned desire it and work towards it. So, if you can’t change them, the only thing you can do is change your own reaction to them.’

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Authors
  1. Pauline Irving
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  2. Diane Hazlett
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland

    Ann Long BSc Psychology, MSc Counselling, Post Graduate Certificate in Research Methods, Certification in Psychodynamic Therapy, RGN, RMN, HV, Dip. Nursing, RNT, RHVT (psychotherapist, writer, Senior Lecturer) (psychotherapist, writer, Senior Lecturer)

Copyright information

© 1999 Pauline Irving

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Irving, P., Hazlett, D. (1999). Communicating with Challenging Clients. In: Long, A. (eds) Interaction for Practice in Community Nursing. Community Health Care Series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14757-1_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14757-1_11

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-333-72779-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-14757-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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