Communication Strategies in Health and Social Care: A Training Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of communication within health and social care organizations. It begins by emphasizing the importance of effective communication, including both verbal and non-verbal components, and the need for cultural safety training. The report delves into various communication theories, such as humanistic, behaviorist, cognitive, and psychoanalytical theories, highlighting their relevance in healthcare settings. It then discusses effective communication strategies, including appropriate language use for service users and professionals, and the utilization of interpreters and visual aids. The report also identifies common barriers to communication, such as language and cultural differences, family interference, medical jargon, and workload issues. Furthermore, it outlines strategies for dealing with interpersonal and inappropriate communication, including maintaining patient dignity, active listening, and ensuring confidentiality. Finally, the report presents strategies for supporting individuals with specific communication needs, such as those with visual, hearing, and intellectual disabilities, offering practical solutions like providing glasses, hearing aids, and visual aids.

Communicati
ng in a health
and social
care
organization

Training on communication
Communication has both
verbal and non verbal
components.
The preliminary training
should focus exclusively
on the listening
techniques encouraging
the patient to express
correctly.(Rajashree
2011).
To train the staffs
regarding the
maintenance of the
cultural safety during the
communication process.

Theory of communication
Humanistic theory- It
emphasizes empathy and
stresses on good in human
behavior (Butts, and Rich, 2013).
Behaviorist- According to this
theory, people should change the
attitudes or alter the condition of
the environment and reinforce
positive behavior.

Theory
Cognitive theory-This theory provides with an
agentic framework of concept in order to
analyze the determinants and the psychosocial
mechanism of a patient (Butts, and Rich,
2013).
Psychoanalytical theory- This theory is used in
enhancing the interpersonal communication
between the patient and the health care staffs
and also provides a way to understand the
human behaviors and the thoughts.

Effective
communication
Language appropriate for service
users:-
1. The patients should be able to
express their discomfort their
needs to the health care
professionals. (Moss 2017)
2. In case of language barrier
interpreters can be used.
3. Written communication can be
done.

Effective
communication
Language appropriate for
professionals and purpose:-
Identification of the facial
expression of the patient.
Lip reading.
Use of the visual Aids.
Simple signs can be used
(Rajashree 2011).
Provision of a bell for use for
the patient.
The language should be
clear and distinct
proper movement of the lips,
for ensuring lip reading.

Barriers to communication
Barrier of language and culture.
Family interference (Norouzinia et
al.2016).
Use of medical words that cannot be
understood by the patient.
Shortage of workforce to entertain he
clients.
Workload or hectic environment within
the ward.
Critical health of the patient and Physical
disability of the patient

Dealing with interpersonal and
inappropriate communication
Ineffective intrapersonal communication may
hamper the delivery of a safe patient care as it
can cause stress, conflict and errors.
Strategies-
Maintaining the patient dignity and integrity
(Norouzinia et al.2016) .
Active listening and sympathizing.
To be professional in all aspects.
Acknowledging the viewpoint of the patient.
Debarring from loss of temperament especially
while dealing with the patient’s family.

Confidentiality
Ensuring an absolute protection
of the patient information.
Debarring from conversations in
public places, elevators and use
separate rooms for avoiding
overhearing.
Asking for the patient’s consent
to disclose any intimation.
Maintaining a safe electronic
information exchange system.

3 strategies for supporting individuals
with specific communication needs
Patient with visual disability- Helping
out the patients with glasses.
People with hearing disabilities-
Providing with hearing aids, use of
simple sign languages or written notes
(Hersh 2013).
People with intellectual disability- Use
of bright visual aids to gain attention
of these patient, avoidance of medical
words, simple and short sentences.

Reference
Butts, J.B. and Rich, K.L., 2013. Philosophies and theories for
advanced nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Hersh, M., 2013. Deafblind people, communication,
independence, and isolation. Journal of deaf studies and deaf
education, 18(4), pp.446-463.
Moss, B., 2017. Communication skills in health and social
care. Sage.
Norouzinia, R., Aghabarari, M., Shiri, M., Karimi, M. and
Samami, E., 2016. Communication barriers perceived by
nurses and patients. Global journal of health science, 8(6),
p.65.
Rajashree K. (2011). Training Programs in Communication
Skills for Health Care Professionals and Volunteers. Indian
Journal of Palliative Care, 17(Suppl), S12–S13