Communication Opinion
To be an effective communicator it is necessary to understand communication is about not only providing information, but also the sharing of ideas, and feelings, but also the ability to receive feedback. Communication allows individuals and groups to share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings about the subject manner.
The basic elements of communication are feedback, the message or subject, the sender and the receiver of the information/subject. An effective communicator provides clarity while speaking to avoid misunderstanding; this is especially true when speaking in a health care setting. The speaker must ensure that the receiver’s interpretation is correct, while simultaneously observing the receiver, and interpreting their reaction to the information presented. This exchange of verbal and non-verbal interactions are two people communicating or in a group their thoughts, ideas, and feedback. Each understanding the other’s feelings, exchange of feelings, and discussion and mutual understanding of each other, and the subject matter (Du Pre, 2005).
Health care professionals need to master the art of public speaking, interpersonal and business relationships. When speaking with patients, it is very important that the patient feel comfortable to communicate their fears, or lack of understanding of what the health care professional has presented to them. How health care professionals communicate information to patients is key to establish trust between doctor and patients. Speaking in non-medical terms, or nonprofessionals terms helps facilitates the patient’s ability to understand their medical condition, and treatment options. Patients who are unable to verbally communicate their fears, and or questions to their doctor run the risk of making their medical conditions worse, and any convalescent treatments (Hicks & Nicols, 2012).
Health care professional can encourage patients by asking questions, and listening when the patient is talking, and expound on any talking points raised by the patient. Many people who feel comfortable enough to speak candidly with their health care professional have better recovery time, and there are fewer complications during the procedure, as everyone understands, clearly what the expectations of the medical treatments. When communication is open between the patient and the health care professional, the medical facility, the staff, and the patient are all working towards a common goal, there is no loss of monies, and the patient has a better quality of care experience, and quality of life.
For many individuals here in the United States, women speaking to men about health matters are taboo, culturally. Having a physical exam done, exposing body parts is not done. However, many medical facilities have considered these matters, and created programs, health literature to help make people more comfortable in speaking and having medical treatments.
Communication in a health care facility is dependent upon the health care professional’s ability to combine elements of the basic communication and health communication skills. Understanding that individuals who have just received a bad diagnosis may not be able to formulate questions about treatment, and recovery. Health care professionals provide empathy, and understanding, and most of all information to their patients, and to the health care professionals they work with to help better the quality of service to their patients. Patients to learn about their health conditions, how they will be treated, and become informed about their own health, and that of their families, when they learn to communicate with their health care professionals (Cheesebro, O'Connor, & Rios, 2010). Communication, the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and feelings between individuals and groups helps to increase productivity and stream line costs for businesses and health care facilities.