Communication Opinion Paper

Communication Opinion Paper
Gerald Aiello
HCS/320
March 23rd, 2015
Polly Hanson

Communication Opinion Paper Throughout every community in the world, communication is vital for the transfer of information from one organism to another. This is true for humans as well as animals. This essay will establish the basic elements of communication necessary for humans to understand other humans in the health care industry. Also, the basic elements of communication will be discussed and compared to the basic rules of health care communication. Lastly, the differences in cultural communication will be outlined. The basic elements of communication consist of the sender, the receiver and the message. Of course, the sender is the person that is sending the message to the receiver. This can happen in a variety of communication modes like speaking in person or through an email or text message. Communicating in person allows the sender to use nonverbal communication like hand or body gestures to relay the message. Verbal communication can be most effective if the receiver holds a conversation with the sender to further support understanding of the message. This consists of return conversation in questions or rebuttal of the message. In the health care setting, effective communication is mandatory. When dealing with patients, any form of communication still uses the basic elements of communication. In a normal conversation, the goal of the speaker or sender is to have the receiver understand the message. Yet, in treating patients it is imperative that effective communication is used so that the message can meet the health care needs of the patient. This understanding of communication is from each party involved in the care of the patient. In many facilities, the care of the patient is shared amongst the health care professionals. Doctors and nurses that write notes in health records must make sure that the receiver of the message understands the information completely. If there is one mishap the patient may become reluctant to receive care from the provider. In the health care field, effective communication is needed to provide high quality health care to the patient and to reassure the patient that they are being taken care of by professionals. Sometimes when the patient feels that their health care needs are not being met they become reluctant to receive care. When this happens, the provider must encourage the patient through understanding that they understand the patient’s feelings. The health care worker, at this point, needs to listen to what the patient is saying and reply in an active listening demeanor. Active listening is a form of listening that allows the sender to understand that the receiver is listening. This can be done through asking questions about the topic or information. It can also be achieved through reiterating what the sender is saying. Even further, the provider can encourage the patient by being honest and communicating to the patient with easy to understand terms. There may be a misunderstanding if there are cultural differences from the receiver to the sender as well. Cultural differences occur in communication and prevent the transfer of information. Some cultural differences are economic, social, or educational. These examples are just a few out of hundreds of cultural differences that a patient may have from the health care provider. In the health care field, a professional must understand these differences and have a way to connect to the listener

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