Health Communication in the Digital Age

This assignment delves into the impact of digital communication on healthcare. Students are tasked with analyzing how social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are reshaping patient-doctor relationships and influencing health outcomes. The analysis should encompass the advantages and disadvantages of this new paradigm, including improved access to information, potential for misinformation, and ethical considerations regarding patient privacy and data security.

COMMUNICATION IN HSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1: ROLE PLAY....................................................................................................................1
Q1. Column A: In your activity, which communication skills did you use in health and social
care setting?.................................................................................................................................1
Q2. Column C: Review methods of dealing with examples given in Column B........................1
TASK 3: REPORT WRITING........................................................................................................3
Q5. Applying range of communication theories..........................................................................3
Q6 Explaining how communication process is affected through the values and culture of
people...........................................................................................................................................4
Q7 Impact of Legislation, Charters and Code of Practice on Communication at HSC...............5
Q8 Effectiveness of Organizational System and Policies in Promoting Good Practices............5
TASK 4: CASE STUDY 2..............................................................................................................6
Q9 Legal Aspects to be considered in Use of ICT......................................................................6
Q10 Benefits of Using ICT..........................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Communication is the process of giving information to other individuals by using number
of means (Eppler, 2006). In health and social care firm, communication has a great importance.
This is because; an effective communication will enable the health care professionals to carry out
their efforts in terms of understanding the needs and demand of its respective patients in an
effectual manner. Thus, through this way, firm can deliver high quality services to its patients.
The present report is based on number of case scenarios. In accordance with the given context,
report will depict about different communication skills which are used within health care firms
(HSC). Furthermore, the study will also give description about the factors which lead to
influence the communication process of HSC.
TASK 1: ROLE PLAY
In the role play activity, I am playing the role of health care professional. Being at the
position of health care professionals, I have assessed different communication barriers which are
occurring at the time of communicating with my team members and service users. One of the
major problems which I had found was of poor receptive communication. Thus, on the basis of
given scenario, following tables are filled:
Q1. Column A: In your
activity, which
communication skills
did you use in health
and social care setting?
Column B: Give examples of
inappropriate
Interpersonal communication
between individuals in health
and social care settings in
your role-play.
Q2. Column C: Review
methods of dealing with
examples given in
Column B
At the position of health care
professional, I have to
communicate effectively with
my patients and team
members. Thus, in order to do
the same, I comply with
number of communication
For example, recently, I have
given treatment to one
African woman who is not
able to speak in English.
Thus, due to absence of
translator, I have used my
non verbal communication
I have identified number of
methods which I will use in
future with an aim to deal
with the problem of
inappropriate interpersonal
communication which I have
encountered while delivering

skills within health and social
care setting.
Written communication
On daily basis, I used to
encounter with the patients
who faces difficulty in
speaking. Thus, in order to
work with the given patients,
I will use my written
communication skills. In this
regard, I will deliver my
message to such patients by
writing on some notepad
(Clarke, Riley and
Dougherty, 2004).
Non-verbal communication
I also deal with the patients
who cannot hear properly.
Thus, in order give my
message to such patients, I
will use my non-verbal
communication ability
wherein I will use my facial
expression and body postures
for the purpose to give my
message to these patients in
an effective manner.
tactics. But, still I am not able
to diagnose the problem
which is being faced by it. As
a result of this, I have
recommended her to some
other doctor. This is an
opportunity loss for my
health care firm.
For instance, recently, one
patient who is having hearing
and speaking difficulty has
visited in my office. Here, I
am not able to understand
which she wants to
communicate me about her
problem. Due to this,
inappropriate interpersonal
communication is there in
between us and I am not able
to deliver my best services to
her (Reeves and et.al., 2011).
services to my patients.
Here, in order to resolve the
issue related to the language
barrier, I will direct my
efforts in terms of carrying
out the appointment of an
appropriate translator. Here, I
will recruit such translator
only who is able to speak in
number of languages.
In the similar way, with an
aim to give an effective
service to the patients who
are having hearing and
speaking problem, I will
attain the training program on
sign language. Through this
way, I can communicate
effectively with the patients
who are suffering with the
above mentioned problem.
Thus, it is with the help of
given methods only, I will
deal with the issue of
inappropriate interpersonal
communication (Chou and
et.al., 2009).

TASK 3: REPORT WRITING
Q5. Applying range of communication theories
There are number of communication theories identified which can be applied within
health and social care firms with an aim to improve the understanding regarding specific
communication process that is being followed by them. One of the theories can be humanistic
theory of communication. It is the theory of communication which starts with the trust, eye
contact and praise. This theory reveals that the person must use simple and appropriate language
while communicating with the other people. In addition to this, the theory also gives much
emphasis on the feedback of receiver. In this regard, it entails that sender must give sufficient
time to other individual to understanding the sentence or words being communicated by him.
In this regard, it can be said that the given theory helps in improving the communication
process which is followed in the health care firm. By following the given approach, health care
professionals can understand the needs and demand of its patients effectively. Thereby, they can
maintain the satisfaction level of their patients by giving them high quality of services (Keckley
and Hoffmann, 2010).
In addition to this, Argyle’s stages of communication cycle are regarded as another
theory of communication. Here, Argyle has stated the number of stages which she has gone
through by each health care professional while communicating with the number of people such
as service users, team members and care workers, etc. The detailed explanation of all phases is
depicted as below: Idea occurs: The communication begin with the thinking process in which one person
thinks of something and wants to communicate the same to the other person. For
example, health care professional has thought about the problem which is being faced by
its care workers while dealing with the patients who have hearing and speaking disability.
Thus, in order to resolve the given issue, it has taken decision to arrange the sign
language training for its employees. Message coded: In this stage, the idea which is generated by the health care professional
in its mind will be converted by it in some form of language or sentence (Street and et.al.,
2009). Message sent: Finally, it will use different communication mediums such as email and
letter in order to deliver message to the care workers.

 Message received: Here, in this phase, all the care workers who are working within firm
will receive the message. Message decoded: In this stage, care worker tries to decode the information which is
being given by their health-care professionals.
 Message understood: If they understood the message, at that time, they will give a
positive and negative response regarding the training option which health-care
professional has confronted in front of them (Wright and et.al., 2010).
Q6 Explaining how communication process is affected through the values and culture of people
The communication process which is being followed by the health and social care firms
is influenced through the values and cultures of the people who are associated with the
corporation. The caste, religion, age and gender are being regarded as some aspects which affects
the flow of communication. With regards to it, employees face issue with regards to offering
services to patients that belongs to different background. This is so because, patients with diverse
culture are not well verse with English and due to this, deviation arises (Preston, 2004).
Moreover, deviation arises in the language of symbol as well and due to this, situation of
miscommunication may arise. To manage the issue of differences in communication, interpreter
can be appointed.
Another concern for communication is that employees at HSC need to focus on culture and
values of different individual and efforts are incorporated for not hurting the issue. It becomes
quite difficult and hence sentiments of patients may get hurt. Moreover, it is required that
employees must maintain the class while communication with individual as it can even make an
impact on the mind of patient. Beside this, differences in communication are attained due to
variation in the education level. If individual is illiterate then medial practitioner need to
communicate with them in simple terminology or else they will not grasps anything.
Moreover, professional or medical language should only be used with colleagues only by
employees at HSC setting as other will not able to understand the same (Miller and King, 2015).
Additionally, many a time, differences in communication arises among top, middle and lower
social class people and such practice should not be continue as it affects the mind set of
individual. Hence, communication at HSC must be made in rationale manner so that value and
beliefs of each individual is fulfilled.

Q7 Impact of Legislation, Charters and Code of Practice on Communication at HSC
There are varied laws and code of practice that been determined by UK government with
regards to communication at HSC which need to be adhered in order to run the operation
successfully. Due to this, communication process is affected and hence HSC organization needs
to incorporate appropriate measures. In this regard, Health Record Act 1990 states that
organization need to offer clear information to patients along with transcript entailing
communication with doctors. For this, HSC organization needs to install required devices so that
mentioned law can be fulfilled which certainly requires extra effort within the context of
communication. Also, proper training and development need to be offered to employees
considering the law of Care Quality Commission Regulations 2009 (Greene and et.al., 2011).
From these laws, overall cost of operation is increased and hence impact can be seen within the
term of decline profit.
Moreover, company at mentioned sector need to adhere with Equality Act and hence
proper information need to followed to each and every patients without making any difference on
the grounds of age, gender and ethnicity. Also, communication needs to be made in regional
language of patients in case if they are not comfortable with English. Apart from it, company
need to adhere with Data Protection Act 1998 in which it need to save the information of patients
in secured manner. Further, same should not be share without the consent of patients. If this is
not followed then HSC organization can be sued (Houwen, 2007). Hence, due to aforesaid laws
and code of conduct, process of communication is affected.
Q8 Effectiveness of Organizational System and Policies in Promoting Good Practices
It is essential for organization to develop appropriate policies and system so that good
practices can be promoted within organization. In this context, company can ensure availability
of 24x7 care worker so that needs of patients can be met anytime. Through this, better
monitoring can be assured. In addition to it, proper trained ward boys and nursing staff must be
available to manage the critical situation. Beside this, proper system for communication need to
follow so that information can be reach to required patient on due time. This aids in taking
effective decisions from which life of patients can be saved (Barrett, 2006). For this purpose,
company can install intercom system and digital signal system throughout the HSC organization.
It will aids in offering required services to clients in desired manner. It is even evident that HSC
witnesses patients from different culture and background which usually faces problem in

communication. In this context, company can appoint interpreter all the time so that better
sharing of information can be done. This aids in promoting good practices at the HSC. In
addition to it, company can install appropriate sign boards and navigation mark so that
individuals visiting at HSC premises can able to get service in desired manner (Hawn, 2009).
TASK 4: CASE STUDY 2
Q9 Legal Aspects to be considered in Use of ICT
There are varied set of legal consideration that HSC setting need to be followed while
using ICT. If such laws are not followed then license of HSC can be cancelled along with impose
of fine. Conferring this, Jeff need to follow the legal norms while sharing information over ICT.
It is advised that Jeff should not share private and confidential information with the friends of
service user. It is illegal as per the act of Data Protection Act 1998 and sharing information like
this can affect the operation of private hospital as well. However, he can take consent first from
the service users of which information is asked and only he can share information if prior
approval is received to him (Vries and Diana, 2005). In addition to it, Jeff is liable to keep the
information in confidential manner and regularly updating the same for better decision making
and guidance. Further, he need to ensure accuracy of data as if it is not followed then it can affect
the operations of company. Also, if such measures are not followed by him then penalty can be
imposed on the company (Bennett, 2010).
Q10 Benefits of Using ICT
With the rise in time, scope of ICT has been increased immensely and it offers varied
benefits to service user, care worker and HSC organization. Through this, effectual decision is
made by considering information from different source and also from different time interval. ICT
aids in using data at any point of time and same can be stored on clouds which can be accessed
through internet as well. In addition to it, ICT helps in gaining idea from past data as well
through which better services can be offered to service users. Also, it can be shared with ease in
virtual format so that service user can give in-depth medical information to other doctors if one is
moving to another doctor. It is even found that ICT aids in sorting the data in systematic manner
which can be searched in desired manner (Moorhead and et.al., 2013). Through this, company is
able to access data of particular patients within fraction of second which aids in attaining the
business objectives in desired manner. In addition to it, ICT helps in assuring accuracy of data as

well which removes the issue of manipulation of data. Also, it is reliable within the context of
audit and clear picture about the scenario can be reflect through it. In addition to it, ICT aids in
arranging and molding the data as per the need of clients and parties without putting much efforts
(Kasila, Poskiparta and Villberg, 2006).
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be depicted that it is very important for the health care
organization that it should use simple and effective way of communicating the specific thing to
the different individuals. This is because, through such activity firm can resolve all the issues
associated with communication. Consequently, enterprise can be able to carry out their efforts
with regard to deliver their high quality of services to the patients in an effectual way.

REFERENCES
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Online
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health and social care. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2015/feb/17/good-communication-
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