Effective Communication Strategies in Health and Social Care Settings

This report provides an overview of communication in health and social care, exploring key theories such as Behaviorist, Humanistic, and Cognitive theories, and their applications in the healthcare setting. It examines the use of various communication skills, including verbal, non-verbal, and gestural methods, and their importance in establishing effective communication between care providers and service users. The report also addresses the challenges of inappropriate interpersonal communication and offers strategies for dealing with barriers like language and cultural differences, emphasizing the need for trust and understanding. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of employing diverse communication strategies to meet the needs of patients, offering practical solutions such as using sign languages, gestures, and translators to overcome communication barriers. The report references several academic sources to support its findings.

Communication in Health
and Social care
(TASK 1)

1.1 Theories of communication
There are various theories which are concerned with the health and social care
setting. The major theories in this field are Behaviorist, Humanistic and
Cognitive. All the theories have different assumptions and beliefs.
 Behaviorist theory: The first theory of Behaviorist is based on the
assumption that every behavior emerges from various responses that have
been learn from different responses.
 Humanistic theory: The humanistic theory of communication is basically
based on a belief where it is necessary to have a open communication
between care provider and the client with a responsibility upon care
provider to accept the client as a whole being without making any judgment

Cont..
Cognitive theory: The cognitive theory is based on
assumption that a person behaves in a way that he has
learn from its surrounding environment and environmental
factors which have a great impact on their behavior. So
that in this theory, all those factors are included in which
one person can acquire by observing the others to do the
certain works. It is like a education, Hospital, environment
etc, are factors considered in it.

1.2 use of communication
skills There are generally various ways of communication through which an
effectual communication can be established between care provider and
service user. There could be verbal, non verbal, gestural, written and oral
(Karanikolos and et.al., 2013). The verbal communication is generally
established while giving training and while having conversations on
telephone. In verbal communication, it is necessary to considers several
things like vice tone, expression of face, level of pitch etc. In non-verbal
communication, ideas, facts and thoughts are delivered by one person to
other in way of facial expression, posture or body language of a person. In
gestural form, ideas of one person to be deliver to other person in the way
of by making eye contact, making some signs by using body parts, by hand
movement etc. In written communication system, one person can share
there ideas, thought, information and facts in a written manner. For eg-
Writing a letter etc. In oral form of communication, one person can share
there information by orally to other person. For Example- giving a speech

Cont..
In present case, the doctor did not treat well to the couple
and gave facial expression with a disgust feeling. In
addition to this, he did not gave a well treatment and
appropriate diagnosis of Anna. In this place, the doctor
must have diagnosed the lady well without making any
judgment before testing her conditions. He denied to treat
her and giving her a well diagnosis, rather he took her
condition because of alcohol. But, in this place, the doctor
must have communicated in well order to give patience to
couple. After that, he should have checked the condition
and in satisfying way (Koch-Weser and et.al., 2010).

It is necessary to have the ability of dealing with any
inappropriate interpersonal communication in the health
and social care setting. Any adverse situation can hamper
the effective communication which may also crop up into
misunderstandings (Edelman, C.L., Mandle and Kudzma,
2013). Usually, it is evident in the said profession that
patients use to visit various places to avail the required
treatment. In such cases, generally, there may be the
situations where language and culture can act as a barrier
between both parties.
1.3 Dealing with inappropriate
interpersonal communication

Cont.
It is very crucial in the HSC that there is a good
understanding between both parties so that the decision
making and trust can be maintained between them
(Kontos and et.al., 2010). The lack of trust can also be a
big barrier in right treatment which can be a risky
situation.

1.4 Use of strategies
Within the health and social care sector, it is necessary to
have knowledge of various strategies for communication
that can aid in meeting needs of patients with diversities
(Munn-Giddings and Winter, 2013). There may be a lot
of barriers in communication that can act as a barrier
while dealing with patients. There can be a language and
cultural barriers. In case of difficulty related to language
barrier, the care providers can take help of sign languages,
gestures and also a translator who can help in
understanding each other. In addition to this, person with
hearing impairment can be communicated with sign
language, pictures, lip readings expression etc.

REFERENCES
Andrews, C.M. and et.al., 2013. Social work and
implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Health & Social
Work, 38(2), pp.67-71.
Bennett, P., 2010. Risk communication and public health.
Oxford University Press.
Chan, M., 2010. Mental health and development: targeting
people with mental health conditions as a vulnerable
group. World Health Organization.
Creek, J. and Lougher, L., 2011. Occupational therapy and
mental health. Elsevier Health Sciences.

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