Health & Social Care: Effective Communication Training Report

This report delves into the importance of effective communication within health and social care organizations, emphasizing the need for robust training programs to equip healthcare staff with the skills to address client grievances and needs effectively. It highlights the significance of adapting communication styles for both staff and patients, underscoring the value of patient satisfaction surveys. The report explores various communication theories, including humanistic, behaviorist, cognitive, and psychoanalytical approaches, detailing how these theories can be applied in practice to improve patient-centered care. Furthermore, it outlines effective communication strategies for professionals interacting with hearing-impaired patients and identifies common barriers to communication, such as medical jargon and linguistic differences. The document also addresses the management of interpersonal and inappropriate communication, stressing the importance of maintaining confidentiality and data security. Finally, it suggests strategies for supporting individuals with specific communication needs, such as those with hearing, visual, or intellectual disabilities, advocating for tailored communication techniques to enhance understanding and engagement. Desklib offers a wealth of similar resources for students seeking support in their studies.

Communication in
a health and social
care organizations

Training on communication with health and Social Care
• A robust training is required for the health care staffs for an effective
communication.
• It is necessary for the validation of the grievances and the needs of the clients
• The health care staffs should be able to communicate both with the staffs and
the patients, although maintain the differences in the way of communication.
• Surveys has to be conducted for checking the satisfaction level of the patient.

Theories
The humanistic approach of communication can be referred to as the psychological perspective , that
approaches the existence of human by the exploration of the values of the person, the self actualization and the
spirituality.
Communication with the client in a positive approach can be useful as it would help the patient to think that the
health care staffs care for him.
Communicating with the patient in a non hostile manner can be useful for dealing with patients with disabilities as
it enhance self confidence (Arnold and Boggs, 2015).
The behaviorist theory It is the psychological theory that affects the individual distinction by the expression of
the feelings. some of the types of communication behavior has been identified like- An assertive behavior, a
passive behavior, passive aggressive behavior.
The health care services should be made in a positive manner, such that it helps them to monitor the behavior of
the individuals.

Theories
 Cognitive theories- this communication theory is applied by understanding the cognitive status of the client.
 The cognitive theory includes many well known perspectives like the information processing, and cognitive
development.
 It is the way the health care professionals perceives the grievances or the needs of the patient and act accordingly.
 Psychoanalytical theory – This theory is implemented in nursing practice that involves the analysis of the cognitive
state of the person for defining the identity of their ego, message and superego.
 This type of theory is used in the medical wards for understanding the mood of the patient and act accordingly to
provide a patient centered care (Arnold and Boggs, 2015). .
 This can be done by analyzing the facial expression of the patient.

Effective Communication
Language appropriate for the service users :-
 Patients should use the language that should be understandable by
the health care professionals .
 Verbal interaction should be accompanied by hand gestures and
facial expressions (Arnold, et al., 2015).
 In case of language barrier interpreters can be used.

Effective Communication
 Strategies appropriate for the professionals to communicate with hearing impaired patients :-
 Each person has got different needs of communication.
 The person's attention should be gained while starting to speak.
 Ensuring a good lighting in the room.
 A clear pronunciation so that the patients can lip read.
 Reducing the background distractions and noises (Arnold, et al., 2015).
 speaking slowly and clearly.
 rephrasing of words rather than repeating.
 Using proper gestures and facial expressions (Laplante-Lévesque et al., 2014).
 provision of hearing aids .
 Use of simple signs and writings.

Barriers to communication
 The use of medical jargon
 Taboos and emotional barriers.
 Physical barriers to the non verbal way of communication (Norouzinia
et al.17).
 Physical disabilities such as hearing or visual impairment.
 Linguistic differences.
 Prejudices and expectations and cultural differences

Dealing with interpersonal and
inappropriate communication
 Ineffective interpersonal communication skills can cause frustration,
helplessness, blaming and conflict at the nursing workplace.
 It can be improved by-
 Talking openly regarding the cultural taboos .
 Remaining calm and professional in all adverse situation, especially
while dealing with the aggressive behavior of the patient’s family.
 Negotiating and widening of the perception as per the patient’s need.

Confidentiality
 Document security, keeping the files in safety cabinets and
maintaining the data security. (Raee et al. 2017)
 Carrying out conversations in enclosed room to avoid overhearing.
 Abiding by the legislation regarding the disclosure of the patient
education.
 Avoiding discussion over phone.
 Proper employee screening for ensuring client security.

3 strategies for supporting
individuals with specific
communication needs. Hearing impairment- communication by the help of simple signs and
techniques, visual aids
 Visual impairment- Use of glasses or braille' or lip reading.
 Intellectual disability- choice of simple specific words, using visual
informations , avoiding acronyms, abstracts or metaphors.

Questions
 What have you understood about the importance of communication
in nursing?
 What are the different theories of communication?
 What are the strategies for an effective communication with the
patients?
 How to maintain the privacy of the patient while communicating?
 How can you deal with ineffective interpersonal communication?

References
Arnold, E.C. and Boggs, K.U., 2015. Interpersonal Relationships-E-Book:
Professional Communication Skills for Nurses. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Laplante-Lévesque, A., Hickson, L. and Worrall, L., 2012. What makes
adults with hearing impairment take up hearing aids or communication
programs and achieve successful outcomes?. Ear and hearing, 33(1),
pp.79-93.
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),pp. 65–74.
Raee, Z., Abedi, H., and Shahriari, M. (2017). Nurses’ commitment to
respecting patient dignity. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 6,
16. http://doi.org/10.4103/2277-9531.204743