Communication involves sharing information through generating and transmitting meanings. The key elements of the communication process are the referent, sender, message, channel, receiver, and feedback. There are 8 types of communication according to Condon including phatic, preventive, instrumental, affective, catharsis, magic words, and ritual. Effective communication in nursing involves verbal, nonverbal, and observable actions between the nurse and patient within the nurse-patient relationship and collaboration with the healthcare team. Barriers to communication include giving opinions, false reassurance, being defensive, stereotyping, and changing the subject inappropriately. Techniques that enhance communication are paraphrasing, restating, reflecting, exploring, giving information, seeking clar