CICARE based communication technique: A passage to faster and smoother visual rehabilitation in post cataract surgery patients

Abstract

Visual rehabilitation following cataract surgery is often an overlooked aspect. Healthcare providers have an important role in the counselling of the patients undergoing cataract surgery in clearing all their doubts thus alleviating all their fears and anxiety related to the procedure which will eventually lead to faster and smoother visual rehabilitation. Using standardised communication techniques like CICARE combined with conventional nursing and pain scoring systems can provide an objective and effective method in patient counselling and building a rapport with the patient for a faster visual recovery.

Keywords: Communication; Nursing care; Soft skills cataract surgery; Visual rehabilitation; Patient care

Core Tip: Post cataract surgery visual rehabilitation in terms of vision and pain not only involves the surgical process but also psychosocial support from health care providers. Effective communication techniques like CICARE combined with conventional nursing can go a long way in the visual rehabilitation of post-cataract surgery patients, which is often overlooked. Although, with recent surgical advances, visual recovery post-surgery is faster, the role of healthcare providers in alleviating the fears and anxiety of patients which ultimately leads to faster visual rehabilitation cannot be overlooked. Communication with sick patients and their family members must be done in the local language so that everyone understands the real situation and makes decisions accordingly. In phacoemulsification surgery, the nursing staff plays an important role in a cooperative patient during the surgery and lesser pain in the postoperative period.