Communication for Health Professionals Case Study 2022

Running head: COMMUNICATION
1
Communication for Health Professionals
Name:
Institution:
Tutor:
Date:

COMMUNICATION
2
Introduction
Communication is the exchange of information among different people. It is a skill that is
vital to effective healthcare delivery, healthcare professionals should therefore ensure that they
are equipped with effective communication skills (O'Toole, 2016). In the case study, Mr. Tanaka
a widow underwent surgery on a broken hip and he is in contact with a rehabilitation centre. He
has recently moved in with his son and the son’s family thus feels guilty that he is overburdening
them. Mr. Tanaka also reports of poor social connections and he is worried of future miseries
that will be caused by the broken hip. A social worker is concerned of feelings of guilt and
anxious and has been referred due to mental health, home environment and physical health. It is
therefore important the health professionals collaborate or communicate to ensure Mr. Tanaka
recover promptly. Within the framework of this assignment, there will be an analysis of the
strategies to build rapport with Mr. Tanaka, effective communicative strategies and how to
implement them, barriers and to communication and how to overcome them, ethical
consideration of communication, and inter professional communication. Finally, there will be a
conclusion to summarise important points in the essay.
Discussion
Strategies to build rapport
A good rapport is necessary for better health outcomes. Studies have proposed different
strategies that can be used to build a good rapport with the patient. For the case of Mr. Tanaka, I
will begin by being very friendly to him. I will approach and greet him in a warm and friendly
way (O'Toole, 2016). Furthermore, I would also smile at him just to ensure that both of us are

COMMUNICATION
3
happy before we begin. Another strategy that I can use to build rapport with Tanaka is
expressing real interest. I can achieve this by listening keenly and using non-verbal
communication skills like gestures and facial expressions just to ensure that the patient is
hooked. Establishing a common ground is also a good strategy since studies note that people
with the same interests tend to get attracted to each other. I would therefore seek to understand
whatever the patient likes and I would complement the same so that we are on the same ground.
Communication strategies and implementation
In order to make communication effective, it is necessary to incorporate or use different
strategies. One of the strategies is good listening skills. Several studies indicate that active
listening is likely to improve communication (Price, 2017). I will therefore implement this
strategy by listening carefully to whatever Mr. Tanaka speaks. This also includes no interfering
while the patient is speaking. Besides active listening, I would also use non-verbal
communication skills (O'Toole, 2016). I would for example implement gestures when
demonstrating something. I would also implement facial expressions when speaking or
expressing feelings so as to ensure that the patient is hooked. The rationale of implementing
communication strategies is just to ensure that the process of assessment and counselling is
successful.
Communication barriers and strategies
Often, there arises different factors that might make it difficult to exchange information.
This factors are collectively known as barriers to communication. They are broadly classified
into language barriers, psychological barriers, physiological barriers, physical barriers and
attitudinal barriers (Thomson, Outram, Gilligan, & Levett-Jones, 2015). While trying to