Abstract
M.Cur.
The research objectives are to explore and describe the nature of communication with the
mentally retarded adult during treatment of minor ailments; and to describe guidelines for the community nurse in order to facilitate more effective communication during the treatment of the minor ailments in the mentally retarded adult for the promotion, maintenance and restoration,
of the mentally retarded individual's health.
The community nurse pays attention to the protection of the mentally retarded individual's
health, and identifies and treats minor ailments encountered by the mentally retarded
individual. Communication is the process used to exchange information between two
individuals. Perko & Kreigh (1988:242) explain communication as a process, a logical step-bystep course of action, focussing on specifically expected outcomes. Communication therefore, is the method used to get in touch with others, to share ideas, feelings, attitudes, needs, pain and crises. Communication takes place between people and could be verbal or non-verbal.
Verbal communication mostly refers to the spoken word, whilst non-verbal communication
includes body language.
Because of the disability of the adults, lacking communication and obstacles in the exchange and interpretation of communication, could take place between the community nurse and the mentally retarded adult. The responsibility lies with the community nurse to facilitate effective communication, since the mentally retarted individual is not always capable of speaking on his/her own behalf.
Guidelines are needed for the facilitation of effective communication between the ommunity nurse and the mentally retarded adult during the treatment of minor ailments.
The research question is:
What is the nature of communication between the community nurse and the mentally
retarded individual and how could the community nurse facilitate more effective
communication in the restoration, maintenance and promotion of the mentally retarded
individual's health?