An accessible introductory textbook that covers the four stages of the care process. The Care Process is an accessible textbook for nursing, health and social care students that covers the fundamental principles and practice of the care process. Using clear explanations, scenarios, activities, and an overarching case study that runs through every chapter, the book will help you to understand the four stages of the care process – Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Review and Evaluation. You will learn: How communication underpins all stages of the care process and how to develop your own communication skills. How to use decision-making models and tools in the care process. How, why and when to use different tools and approaches in assessing service users’ needs. How to apply the principles of care planning to your practice. How to ensure that the care you provide is person-centred and holistic. How to evaluate care interventions and how review and evaluation can assure the quality of care. An Appendix provides a detailed mapping of the new NMC standards of proficiency for registered nurses against each chapter. This concise and practical book will help you to understand the care process and to incorporate the skills and techniques you have learnt into your own care practice. Essentials is a series of accessible, introductory textbooks for students in nursing, health and social care. New and forthcoming titles in the series: The Care Process Communication Skills Leadership Learning Disabilities Mental Health Promoting Health and Wellbeing Study Skills

Table of Contents:
About the authors; Introduction 1. The context of nursing care      1.1 Introduction      1.2 Defining health      1.3 Social needs      1.4 Holistic care      1.5 What are the driving forces behind policy direction? 2. Communication      2.1 Introduction      2.2 Models for communicating effectively      2.3 Non-verbal communication      2.4 Negative communication and malignant social psychology      2.5 Positive communication      2.6 Tools for communication      2.7 The role of technology in nurse-patient communication 3. Decision-making in the ASPIRE process      3.1 Introduction      3.2 Decision-making models and tools      3.3 Complex decisions      3.4 Considerations for making good decisions      3.5 Model for effective decision-making 4. Assessment      4.1 Introduction      4.2 Defining assessment      4.3 Models of care and assessment      4.4 How do we assess people's needs?      4.5 The purpose of assessment      4.6 Assessment in context      4.7 Types of information to be collected      4.8 Patient involvement in the assessment process      4.9 Tools for assessment 5. Planning      5.1 Introduction      5.2 Goal setting      5.3 Integrated care      5.4 Writing care plans and keeping records      5.5 The practicalities of care planning 6. Implementation      6.1 Introduction      6.2 Person-centred care      6.3 Types of intervention      6.4 Evidence-based practice      6.5 Patient and carer involvement 7. Review and evaluation      7.1 Introduction      7.2 The purpose of evaluation      7.3 Evaluating individual care      7.4 Quality assurance of individual care      7.5 Quality assurance of services 8. Conclusion and future challenges      8.1 Introduction      8.2 Globalisation      8.3 Technological change      8.4 Power Appendix 1: Detailed mapping to Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses Appendix 2: The use of collaboration - an example Appendix 3: The single assessment process Appendix 4: What is abuse? References; Index