Social Media & Healthcare Communication

This assignment analyzes the growing role of social media in healthcare communication. It delves into various applications of social media in healthcare, including patient engagement, health information sharing, and interprofessional collaboration. The assignment also discusses the potential benefits and limitations of using social media in healthcare, considering factors such as patient privacy, accuracy of information, and the need for cultural competence. Ethical considerations surrounding the use of social media in healthcare are also examined.

Communicating in
health and social
care

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Communication skills in health and social care.....................................................................2
1.3 Reviewing methods of dealing with inappropriate interpersonal communication ...............3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
Covered in PPT............................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Applying relevant communication theories in context of health care...................................3
2.2 Impact of communication process in health and social care..................................................5
2.3 Effectiveness of organisational system and policies..............................................................5
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................6
3.3 Legal consideration in the use ICT (Information and Communication Technology)............6
3.2 Benefits of using ICT in health and social care.....................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
In modern era, it is significant to have healthy communication among staff and
employees. As it give advantage to organisation to develop and build good communication skills
between workforces. Moreover, it will also assist to administration to serve effective service to
patients and keep them happy forever (Antheunis, Tates and Nieboer, 2013). In this assignment,
different modes of communication have been described such as verbal and non-verbal. Apart
from that there’re some factors which are highly influential in the process of communication
such as culture, values, regulations and many more legislation which are created by the
professionals is also being focused here. Furthermore, different types of communication theories
are also discussed in context of healthcare. For explaining all these issues, factors or theories
Port haven care home is taken which is growing provider and creating an exceptional
environment to deliver best quality of service to customers.
TASK 1
Name: Mr ABC
Part Played in Role Play: Health Care Professionals
Brief overview of role play activity:
As I am playing a role of service user which is suffering from Dementia in which
person forgot things. I am unable to speak and write which is a main problem to discuss my
problems and issues with the medical staff of the Port Heaven care home health care
professionals. So it is essential for the me and medical staff to analyse some other ways to
communicate and decrease this gap which can help to me and them to facilitate.
In Port Heaven care home health care professionals are having major responsibility to
build strong communication with service users. As they need to take regular feedback from
their clients so that they came to know about that what the issues which are facing by them.
Through this immediately action will be taken by them. Apart from that different of
communication can be used by them i.e. verbal and non-verbal. As it depend upon the
circumstances if patient that what kind of communication technique will be used by them.
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1.2 Communication skills in health and social care
In Port heaven, many ways are there which can be adopted by health care professionals.
These are verbal and non-verbal. As the service user is not able to speak and communicate with
the medical staff so they have to make use other channels to communicate. Verbal
communication techniques issued when organisation need to communicate significant
information to management or likely to conduct some important information to them. This
technique is also used in context of patient. As it is essential for health care professionals to use
proper communication technique so that they can build strong relation with patients. In contrary
to this, non-verbal communication is used when patient or client is deaf or mute. As there are
certain ways which are included in this communication such as;
 Body Posture
 Hand Gesture
 Physical Appearance
For example, if care professional wants to make a strong communication with this kind of
patient who is deaf, then they have to use non-verbal technique in such a manner where they
can understand the issue which are facing by them (Berk and et. al., 2017). Communication can
be made with the hand and facial expression which can help to analyse health condition and
medical check up. In addition to this, different models are there which can be used by them in
order to deal with such kind of issues. Some of the model is that Shanon-Weaver in order to
communicate effective message to the clients.
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1.3 Reviewing methods of dealing with inappropriate interpersonal communication
Interpersonal communication is considered quite different in professional where several
views are coming for the well-being of individuals. It aids in dealing with work tasks and
interacting with others to listen the issue of patient verbal or non-verbal. Apart from that for
taking the benefits of good communication skills, health care professional have to deal with the
inappropriate practice in context of communication. If any obstacle arises among them, then it
should be resolved on immediate basis so that fruitful result will be achieved by care home. For
example, if any patient is not able to understanding that what nurse wants to indicate, then it is
showing that there was a bad communication among them. As this factor can become hindrance
for creating an effective communication practice.
Another factor which can be considered as barrier is privacy. In Port Heaven care home,
there are many individuals who need that their medical record or any other necessary
information should be kept as confidential so that it cannot breach any contract (Betancourt and
et. al., 2017). As in given scenario, service user cannot spoke even write also so for resolving
their issue health care professional had to use non-verbal communication technique in
appropriate manner. Apart from this, they are having major responsibility to conduct proper
training for employees so that they can deliver best treatment to patient.
Examples of inappropriate Interpersonal communication between individuals in health and
social care
Some examples of interpersonal communication are health care professional can use with
their patient that they can call them in different ways such as darling, sweetheart and many
more.
TASK 2
Covered in PPT
TASK 3
1.1 Applying relevant communication theories in context of health care
In health and social care communication is extremely important. As it depends upon the
situation the way doctors, nurses or care takers are communicating with them. There are several
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theories of communication which can be applied in Port haven to build sturdy communication
among patients and employees. These are: behaviourist; social learning; humanistic; cognitive
theory and more. Some of them are enumerated as below:
Behaviourist theory: This theory is also referred as psychological approach which is the
foundation of notion. This theory is bifurcated into several parts such as; theory of planned
behaviour, political behaviour, collective behaviour which aids to nurses or workers to properly
understands the effectiveness of communication with others (Chretien and Kind, 2013). This
theory is explaining method of language acquisition which is adopted by service users to make
strong relation with patients. Along with this it also highlights current and future needs of person
in health and social care organisation. With the help of this theory management can easily
identify behaviour of each person who act as employee of the firm. This is helpful technique for
entire firm. Through which members can easily attain target and manage performance as well.
Behaviourism provides clear line of goals and reproducible patterns for effective work function.
Humanistic theory: This is an approach which is mainly used in the communication in
the health and social care industry. Humanity has to be in the medical staff to analyse what are
the specific needs of the patients to get some more improvement in the patient's health. These
types of theories are able to fill communication gap among members of company and easily
identify problems of them. This techniques can easily motivate employees and enhance their
skills or knowledge. This is a theory which when applied in health care services contributes to
group goals fostering the personal success. This communication recognises the primacy of
personal autonomy and the responsibility individuals have towards one another. At the time of
implementation of humanistic theory, health and social care needs to analyse the overall working
environment and then implement strategies and policies. Firstly they have to analyse the
behaviour of individuals who are working in social care centres then also examine their skills
and abilities. Management can also taken into consideration cognitive needs (to know and
understand) and, for some individuals, aesthetic needs (the desire for beauty). An assumption is
that basic-level needs must be met before individuals can be concerned with learning and self
actualizing.
Social learning theory: In this theory nurses or care takers are observing someone
behaviour and skills. This theory may also be applied in care homes in order to improve the
relations with patients. As nurse is having essential role where they behave in positive way with
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patients in order to promoting the image of care homes also. As they need to understand that
what kind of communication skill should be used by them when they are taking with several
customers. Through this management can observe people and try to provide working to them
according to their expectation.
Cognitive theory: It provides a framework to medical staff in the health and social care
organisation to work better as per the needs of the people. It provide psychological mechanism to
analyse the needs of the patients by his symbolic actions. Entire members of medical sector have
to identify problems of each person who act as employees in firm. Through this companies can
easily attain target and maintain performance as well. In this learning is considered as mental
activity which is having indications in the observable behaviour as the creation and testing of
hypotheses is used for revealing the rules of communication experience related to environment.
Knowledge is objectively absolute but the major objective is to foster internal mental processes
which may lead to understanding objectives in reality. There is a social version of this which
states that interaction with the people that are from different social backgrounds helps in their
personal and group growth. They learns through their experience throughout their lifetime.
Psychoanalytical Theory: This theory works on the human feelings and mentality in the
communication process and after the communication process. According to this theory
employees working in the health care sector has to communicate and think as per the needs of
the patients which can help to establish an effective communication. Members of firm having no
right to hurt feelings of people. Because each and every person having their own skills and
knowledge which are helpful for better of company. Members to use this theory in effective
manner in order to attract large number of people and try to meet their level of expectation as
well.
2.2 Impact of communication process in health and social care
At workplace good practice in context of communication process in only achieved when
there is proper use of application of rules and regulation which are framed by the government.
As there are many legislations and charters which can influence the communication techniques
which is applied in Port Haven care home (Coleman and et. al., 2012). For example,
communication technique can be influence by provision of equality which is complying by the
administration. Apart from that these laws are also governed for the benefit of making strong
communication practices with patients who are based on the principles of equality and does not
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allow anyone to create discrimination among the patients. Apart from that legislation is
providing race relation, fair employment and many more rights to defend the workers while
executing any unlawful activity. If Port Haven will go against them, it may cause serious
consequences in communication process.
Furthermore, Data protection act is considered as significant piece of legislation which
ensuring about that personal data of everyone are secured and cannot be easily accessible by
anyone. For Port Haven care home while working as a service user, the health records of patients
should be stored in appropriate manner. With the help of this it will promote the good practice
and administration can operative their functions smoothly (Fisher and Clayton, 2012). Besides
this, the code of practices and ethics in certain situations are highly influencing thee
communication process in the reflection of confidentiality and keep the information privately.
Further, the use and access of internet facility at workplace must be limited as it will define the
code of practices in executing good communication process.
Use of proper communication channels can help in increasing the pace of all the process.
Faster delivery of information has larger impact on the decision making process as well as it will
help in reducing the number of errors in operations inside the health care firms. Better the
communication process better is the chances of the firm to grow at much faster rate. It also helps
It providing better assistance to the families and the patients.
2.3 Effectiveness of organisational system and policies
An effectiveness of organisational system and policies is promoting the good practice of
communication process at workplace. As there are many factors which need to be considered by
the care homes such as their attitudes while talking with patients so that effective communication
can take pace among them. Port Heaven should know about that how they can encourage the
patient in order to make effective communication with them. So for this, they need to develop
some organisational system and policies (Grajales III and et. al., 2014). These systems and
policies affect health and social care entities in direct and indirect manner. It can also harm their
working activities and operations as if sometimes workplace diversity affects employees interest
within organisation and they does prefer to stay here for long term period. This care home should
have a legitimate framework to guarantee every one of the arrangements and code of practices
are being complete all through the association. However "the government frameworks of the care
centre must secure the interests of patients and service user. This incorporates making a situation
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in which human services experts can meet their expert commitments". Below mention are the
few organisational policies and system to make more communication system effective.
Whistle blowing policy – This policy is used in care home to defend the workers who
“blow the whistle” about the work which is performed by workforce. Through this policy it is
giving clear guidance for workers that which task they have to do. However, this policy outlines
commitment towards the good communication process. It helps in reducing the number of cases
that is related with the malpractices followed by staff members. It also defines the rules under
which they will perform their operations.
Prevention of accidents – While complying with the act of Health and Safety Act, 1974,
it will assists the rights and duties of employees and through this they will serve best quality of
service to patients. Also help to care home in promoting the awareness of services which are
provided by them. Hence this policy is helpful in reducing the number of errors that occurred
due to mismanagement of work and improper knowledge of their powers in decision making of
firm.
Risk assessment – The risk assessment process is not about creating huge amounts of
paperwork; it is about identifying and taking sensible and proportionate measures to control the
risks. It is essential for health care managers to control the risks, but the assessment process will
help decide how to make required modifications.
TASK 4
3.3 Legal consideration in the use ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
There are different legalisations that are considered when utilizing ICT in well being and
social care. Utilizing ICT can affect individual; for example, upper appendage which is cause by
poor posture, redundant strain damage. The workers have a lawful obligation under the Health
and Safety at work Act 1974 to guarantee that reasonable practice has been adopted by employer
a workplace. A worker should be ensure be ensure about that their action should not create any
threats for anyone (Greene and et. al., 2011). Apart from that personal information of patient
should be secured in appropriate manner. So for this, Data Protection Act 1998 needs to be place
at workplace for the benefit of customer. In the case of Mr. Jeff they are not authorized to
disclose his patients personal details regarding to his disease and treatment with any one on
phone call. It is fine to share treatment and progress of the patient with the family members
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which are enlisted in the admission form. In health and social care organisation Mr Jeff need to
place such acts where he can protect all the personal information of patient. Apart from that it
will also become easy for him to give personal information whenever it is required by patient.
One of the most effective ways of doing so is through the data warehouse of use of software such
as cloud. It helps Mr Jeff in storing and sharing larger amount of data that too only to the people
that have access to it. It uses the strategy used for data abstraction which can be highly beneficial
for handling the privacy concerns. In this manner, Mr Jeff can use data Protection Act 1998,
which is designed by UK's parliament in order to protect personal data stored on computers or in
an organised paper filing system. It follows the protection, processing and movement of data.
Individuals have legal rights to control information about themselves. Most of the Act does not
apply to domestic use. For example keeping a personal address book. Anyone holding personal
data for other purposes is legally obliged to comply with this Act, subject to some exemptions.
Furthermore, most significant legislation is Health Record Act 1990, this act is concerned
about that records are accessed manually in appropriate manner. As Mr. Jeff is having all details
of his patients but he does not have rights to disclose it with any one. It is linked with the
confidentiality of the patient which is the right of the service users in the health and social care
organisation. Through this client can easily access the information about their past history of
medical report whenever they required whether in electronically or manually (Griffiths and et.
al., 2012). Information and communication is providing great possibility of the use of technology
through which care home can control all the system in systematic manner.
Moreover, one act is also there Personal Files Act 1987 this act states that personal
information can be accessed specifically which are related with social care services. So, these
entire acts are having impact on health and social care where Mr Jeff is working.
Equality act – This acts came into force on 1 October 2010. The Equality Act brings
together over 116 separate pieces of legislation into one single Act. Combined, they make up a
new Act that provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality
of opportunity for all. The Act simplifies, strengthens and harmonises the current legislation to
provide Britain with a new discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment
and promotes a fair and more equal society.
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3.2 Benefits of using ICT in health and social care
There are several benefits of using ICT software for social service user and care homes.
The success of ICT fundamental is also depending upon the application of culture relevance. It
increase the efficiency, effectiveness, standards and flexibility of cares. It individualized care
through correspondence and create relationship. As Mr. Jeff is working in the health and social
care organisation and they are having a huge responsibility to keep record of their patients
aligned so whenever they are having a need they can use the patient record easily. It likewise
reinforces administration of assets and enhanced the nature of care being conveyed. It also help
to Mr Jeff to keep all the personal record of patient electronically because somewhere it will
reduce the medical errors and improve the accuracy and clarity of medical records.
Further, doctors can easily store the patient information electronically and also read in
systematic manner (Hawn, 2017). The benefit of using ICT is that automatic back up can also
keep by the health and social care organisation so that they cannot mislead any information. It is
also providing collaboration among the service users and providers in order to get more facilities
efficiently. There is a hole being developed of ICT programming because of constrained
spending plans are there in well being and social care association. While utilizing this software,
detailed data about the administrations which are offered to customers are shown and the clients
are additionally updated with that. Information Communication Technology likewise
additionally helps the association to give the preparation both in conveyance and record keeping
(Moorhead and et. al., 2013). With the advantage of ICT Mr Jeff will defend all the data in
adequate manner and also keep all medical report in secured way.
Benefits of using ICT in health and social care can be understood through these points:
 If Mr. Jeff uses ICT tools and techniques then it aids him in making the communication
process better which is essential enhancing the quality of services that is provided to the
service users.
 Use of marketing tools can help health and social care organisations to reaching to larger
sections of the society with the health care plans for different users.
 It help in management of data which is essential for making different plans and policies
and conducting operations of the firm.
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 It helps in increasing the quality of health services provided by the HSC centres as the
software are smarter and understands the basic needs of patients from time to time any
any immediate requirement of medication is alarmed by gadgets.
 There are various kinds of sensors that helps in monitoring of the total health of the
person on the continuous basis which is impossible to be done while operating manually.
CONCLUSION
It can be comprehended from above assignment that communication process is playing
essential role in health and social care. Adoption of different tools and techniques in context of
making good practice of communication is used here which also improves the interpersonal
relationships between employees and clients. Apart from that some organisational system and
policies are also applied so that Port Heaven use effective tool for communicating with clients.
Furthermore, numerous rules and legislation had been framed by the government which has to be
applying by care homes so that they protect the personal information of clients. It gives
advantage to organisation to keep all records electronically and I systematic manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
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social media in health care: motives, barriers and expectations. Patient education and
counselling. 92(3). pp.426-431.
Berk, M. L. and et. al., 2017. Health care use among undocumented Latino immigrants. Health
Affairs.
Betancourt, J. R. and et. al., 2017. Cultural competence and health care disparities: key
perspectives and trends. Health affairs.
Chretien, K. C. and Kind, T., 2013. Social Media and Clinical Care. Circulation. 127(13).
pp.1413-1421.
Coleman, E. and et. al., 2012. Standards of care for the health of transsexual, transgender, and
gender-nonconforming people, version 7. International Journal of Transgenderism. 13(4).
pp.165-232.
Fisher, J. and Clayton, M., 2012. Who gives a tweet: assessing patients’ interest in the use of
social media for health care. Worldviews on Evidence
‐Based Nursing. 9(2). pp.100-108.
Grajales III, F. J. and et. al., 2014. Social media: a review and tutorial of applications in medicine
and health care. Journal of medical Internet research. 16(2).
Greene, J. A. and et. al., 2011. Online social networking by patients with diabetes: a qualitative
evaluation of communication with Facebook. Journal of general internal medicine. 26(3).
pp.287-292.
Griffiths, F. and et. al., 2012. Social networks–the future for health care delivery. Social science
& medicine. 75(12). pp.2233-2241.
Hawn, C., 2017. Take two aspirin and tweet me in the morning: how Twitter, Facebook, and
other social media are reshaping health care. Health affairs.
Moorhead, S. A. and et. al., 2013. A new dimension of health care: systematic review of the
uses, benefits, and limitations of social media for health communication. Journal of
medical Internet research. 15(4).
Reeves, S. and et. al., 2011. Interprofessional teamwork for health and social care (Vol. 8). John
Wiley & Sons.
Kitson, A. and et. al., 2013. What are the core elements of patient‐centred care? A narrative
review and synthesis of the literature from health policy, medicine and nursing. Journal of
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McCormack, L. A. and et. al., 2011. Measuring patient-centered communication in cancer care: a
literature review and the development of a systematic approach. Social science &
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Online
Interpersonal Communication Skills. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/interpersonal-communication.html>. [Accessed on 5th
November 2017].
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