Communication in Health and Social Care: Importance, Barriers, and Techniques

This essay discusses the importance of communication in health and social care, identifies potential barriers, and provides techniques to overcome them. It also includes a personal reflection and theoretical concepts related to communication.

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Communication in Health and Social Care
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Communication and Types of Communication...............................................................................3
Importance of Communication in Health and Social Care..............................................................4
Historical Issue of Poor Communication.........................................................................................4
Key Features of Effective Communication.....................................................................................5
Theoretical Concept with Regard to Communication.....................................................................5
Communication Cycle.....................................................................................................................5
Potential Barriers to Communication..............................................................................................6
Physical Environment Barrier..........................................................................................................6
Ways and Communication Techniques of Overcoming physical Environment Barrier.................7
Strengths and Weaknesses of Communication and Interpersonal Interactions...............................7
Personal Reflection..........................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
This essay will define communication and identify main types of effective
communication in health and Social Care. The assignment will discuss the importance of
communication and identify key features of effective communication in health and social care. It
will focus on theoretical concepts with regard to communication and outline its significance in
situations of Social and health care. It will also review the communication cycle by considering
one-to-one and group interactions, various types of communication, formal and informal
communication as well as various forms of interpersonal interaction. It will provide different
types of potential barriers to communication that can exist within health and Social care and
discuss one barrier in detail. It will also identify some communication techniques, which can be
used to overcome the identified barrier and utilize examples in relation to health and Social Care.
Finally, it will provide a reflective account on personal experience of communication as well as
lessons for personal development and provide the conclusion.
Communication and Types of Communication
Communication refers to the process through which information is exchanged from the
sender to the receiver by using symbols, signs or behaviors (Bach and Grant, 2015). There are
various types of communication used in the context of social and health settings which include
non-verbal communication, verbal communication, written communication, and electronic
communication. Verbal communication is used to obtain information from colleagues, carers or
service users. It is also used to respond to questions, deal with complaints and problems as well
as provide support. Non-verbal communication is used to reinforce what is being said and to
communicate with individuals who have disabilities. Written communication is used to record

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down information to serve as proof of what is being said. Electronic communication such as ICT
is used to distribute information to the staff as well as service users on special occasions.
Importance of Communication in Health and Social Care
Communication plays a significant role in health and social care by allowing the staff,
visitors, service users, and medical assistants to establish good relationships. Effective
communication is important for those who work health and social care especially in sectors such
as childcare because it enables them to build and maintain good relationships with parents and
their children (Reed, Clarke, and Macfarlane, 2012). Lack of effective communication in health
and social care can make practitioners not engage productively with their colleagues. This may
result to improper care of children for example, in the case of Victoria Climbie which, is a
historical issue of poor communication in health and social care. Failure of communication
between various staff and agencies contributed to the death of Victoria Climbie.
Historical Issue of Poor Communication
The case of Victoria Climbie depict the outcomes of poor communication in health and
social care (Webb and Tossel, 1999). The eight years old, Climbie died because of hypothermia
in February 2000 after she was neglected and tortured by her sadistic aunt Marie Kouao. She had
come to Europe from her homeland in West Africa under the care of her aunt. However, the
findings of her death found out that social and health care workers failed to save her at least 12
times. The major contributor being poor communication in health and social care staff. A close
relative to Kouao had initially warned London Borough of Brent social services that Victoria’s
life was in danger but due to poor communication, they never took action.

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Key Features of Effective Communication
The key features of effective communication include active listening, effective use of
gestures, being objective to the point (Thompson, 2011). Active listening facilitate understanding
while effective use of gestures helps in supporting the sender’s message and intention. Being
objective ensures that the intended message is delivered appropriately. Effective communication,
on the other hand, can improve better engagement in health and social care. For example,
effective listening will facilitate the staff to listen to the concerns of the service user. By actively
listening, understanding is facilitated in both the staff and the service user, which can promote
better engagement. Effective use of non-verbal communication such as effective gestures in
health and social care ensures that those with disabilities are actively engaged.
Theoretical Concept with Regard to Communication
The main theoretical concept identified with regards to communication is the Johari
Window Model of communication. The communication model was developed with the aim of
assisting individuals to comprehend the meaning of self-disclosure and encourage individuals to
provide and accept feedback (Adams, 2007). This theoretical model is important in health and
Social care situations in various ways. The model’s open area quadrant can emphasize the
importance of why a caring professional while delivering care to should know who they are
delivering the care to through effective communication. This can help the healthcare professional
to know the patient well including their health thus promoting quality care.
Communication Cycle
Effective communication by use of theories such as the communication cycle of Argyle
can lead to the improvement of communication skills that can facilitate effective connection with
others, build respect and trust in the communication cycle. Two-way processes such as tone,

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voice, and body language can be improved by this communication theory thus leading to
effective communication. In one-to-one and group interactions, the skills can be better facilitated
thus enhancing engagement. Formal and informal communication, the theory ensures that
language is moderated. For various different types of communication and forms of interpersonal
interaction, they can be better guided by this theory. For example, it helps to describe when each
of them can be applied effectively to facilitate effective communication.
Potential Barriers to Communication
In health and social care, there are various types of potential barriers to communication
that exist. They include physical barriers, language barriers, social factors culture, environment,
and physiological barriers among others. This barrier can deter effective communication in
health and social care in the event that they are not properly handled. For instance, in language
barriers, it may include the use of terms such as jargon where unfamiliar, overcomplicated and
technical terms are used. Another’s example is that of physiological barriers such as sickness. In
this case, a patient can be presented in a mental health center suffering from Alzheimer’s disease
with symptoms and signs of poor memory and confusion. This can be misinterpreted and thus
affect communication between the carer and the patient.
Physical Environment Barrier
One of the main potential barriers to communication is a physical environment, which
includes visual factors, noise, and unfavorable temperatures. The visual factors include vision,
the angle of viewing, body language, noise, and lighting. This barrier may have potential effects
to individuals, for instance, bad conditions of lighting in the situation of face-to-face interactions
can influence the ability of the nurse to perceive nonverbal communication, obscuring body
language and visual clues. It can also limit a disabled person with hearing impairment not read

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the visual language. Visual noise can distract a nurse from examining a patient. Also, audio noise
such as background noise can interfere with the ability of the nurse to hear clearly from the
patient which can lead to information misinterpretation.
Ways and Communication Techniques of Overcoming physical Environment Barrier
Various communication technique can be used to overcome physical environmental
barriers. Bad conditions of lighting can be overcome by using a room with enough light. The
room should be too dim or bright to facilitate visual communication between the patient and the
career. Also, verbal communication can be utilized by speaking clearly so that the patient can
perceive the message. Visual noise can be overcome by using visual clues and sign language.
Another way to overcome this is by moving the patient to a room that is free from the exterior
and internal noise or distractions. Temperature barriers can be overcome by maintaining an
ambient temperature that is suitable as well as conducting Regular checkups to ensure that the
patient is always kept comfortable.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Communication and Interpersonal Interactions
Communication and interpersonal interactions have varied strengths and weaknesses. For
instance, a carer with communication strengths is able to communicate effectively with fellow
colleagues and clients in healthcare while an individual with communication weaknesses will
often feel frustrated because of being unable the language of communication around. Such
individuals may often struggle to use communication techniques. An individual with
interpersonal interactions strengths, for instance, will find it easy to engage with patients while
the one with weakness will find it difficult. Proper use of different forms of communication and
different types of interpersonal interaction can positively affect and enhance the principles of

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care. This is because they are part of the aspects of the principles of care in effective
communication when effectively applied.
Personal Reflection
Communication is vital in our day-to-day interaction with one another as it allows us to
exchange social status, information, and ideas with one another. In my personal experience, I
learned to the importance of communication in health and social care context. I came to realize
that I had the desire to serve others but I had the weakness poor listening skills, which is one of
the essential aspects of communication. I had the feeling that most people I used to attend were
less important than I was. Therefore, I had the trouble of engaging better with my colleagues,
which made it difficult for me to understand or listen to their concerns. I came to full realization
that this problem was getting worse because most of the time I could not give adequate solutions
to the problems that were being relayed to me. However, this problem has now changed since I
realized that I had this weakness. I have realized how it is easy to communicate effectively with
others and engage them effectively. As a result, I am now able to build rapport with my fellow
colleagues.
I have my strengths and weaknesses in communications skills, especially in verbal and
non-verbal communication. My strengths in verbal communication are that currently, I am able
to listen more from other through active listening. In non-verbal communication, I have a skill of
using various visual such as gestures, which makes it easy to interact with people with
disabilities. I feel motivated through the positive feedback I receive from colleagues. I have been
able to demonstrate my skills of communication through various meetings and discussions with
some of my colleagues and friends. However, I also have some weaknesses in specific areas of
verbal and non-verbal communication.

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At the individual level, I have learned various lessons in my personal development,
which include effective communication in health and social care, self-awareness, and knowledge,
developing strengths, improving health as well as building an identity. I have learned that non-
verbal communication serves five main roles in health and social care, which include informing,
regulating interaction, expression of intimacy, the establishment of social control and signal
functions (Bolton, 2012). In my pursuit of personal development, I have learned that any form of
development whether organizational or personal requires a framework that one can use to
determine whether a change has occurred. In verbal communication, my weakness is that I have
trouble knowing the right time to intervene within a conversation. Being quiet is the major
contributor to this. In nonverbal communication, my weakness is that sometimes I find it hard to
effectively use sign language to communicate with the disabled.
The lessons of my personal development have enabled me to learn and understand that
most people have the problem of listening that interferes with effective communication.
Attending and listening are some of the most essential aspects of an effective social and
healthcare professional I have obtained so far. I am obliged to listen more from others. I will
continue building the communication skills that I have a weak.
Conclusion
The essay has considered various types of communication, their uses and their significance in
health and social care. It has depicted how poor communication can cause issues by giving an
example of historical issues. Effective communication and interpersonal relations in health and
social care have been found to be significant at personal and organizational level. Therefore, it is
essential for each healthcare worker and service user to acknowledge and focus on improving
their skills on this subject as well as on personal values. Key features of effective communication

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have been identified which provided the basis for how communication can improve better
engagement. The theoretical concept of communication has been linked to its benefits with
regard to health and social care. It has shown how it facilitates the communication cycle in one-
to-one and group interactions. The key potential barrier to communication has been found how it
can affect access and outcomes of an individual in health and social care. However, various ways
and communication techniques have been found to overcome the barrier. Finally, personal
reflection has been discussed with regard to personal experience and lessons for personal
development.

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References
Adams, R. (2007). Foundations of health and social care. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Bach, S., & Grant, A. (2015). Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Nursing. 3rd ed.
London: SAGE Publications.
Bolton, G. (2012). Reflective practice: writing and professional development. 3rd ed. Los
Angeles: Sage.
Reed, J., Clarke, C. L., & Macfarlane, A. (2012). Nursing older adults. Maidenhead, Berkshire:
Open University Press/McGraw-Hill Education.
Thompson, N., & Thompson, N. (2011). Effective communication: a guide for the people
professions. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Webb, R., & Tossell, D. (1999). Social issues for carers: towards positive practice. 2nd ed.
London: Arnold.