Types_of_Communication

There are many types of communication that we use; verbal communication – including sign language and written communication, non–verbal communication; including, body language, eye contact, gestures, facial expression. Roughly 20% of our communication is verbal, and 80% is non–verbal. Verbal and non–verbal communications go hand in hand; although we communicate through speech, our posture and gestures, body language, and facial expression reflect what we are saying. All the types of communication that I have listed below go hand in hand with each other. Generally speaking, more than one type is used at any one time. It depends on the situation as to which types are used. The types of communication are: • One on one: This is a conversation between two people, and the content is usually a private matter, for example a service–user talking through concerns with their health care professional, who must allow for confidential issues to arise which must remain confidential as far as possible. • Group: This is a way for three or more people to communicate. For example ante-natal clinic where a midwife meets with a group of women meet to discuss problems, to learn things like breathing exercises, and to meet new women. Another example would be on a hospital ward, when the day staff come in to work in the morning, the night staff give a handover which highlights problems from the night shift. • Formal: Formal communication is where the Queen’s English is spoken and is used for communicating with service–users, doctors and other health care professionals. • Informal: Informal communication is where slang and local dialects can be used when conversing with friends and family members. It can be used by health care professionals to help relax a client, if they feel comfortable with that type of language being used. • Text: It is not always possible to communicate by using speech, therefore letters or notes can be written for the individual concerned. Clinical notes are especially important in care settings as it allows staff to know what treatment the service–user is receiving. Leaflets can also to be use to help clients understand matters like the condition they are suffering as they have the facts in front of them. • Oral: This is the use of speech and listening. It is an effective form of communication, however if a person is uncertain in how to explain their feelings or what they mean, it can be misinterpreted which can cause implications on the service–user’s safety and wellbeing. For example if a child has a bruise on their arm and when asked how they got it their response was “my mum hit me”, this would be classed as a child protection issue, but if the child neglected to say that they had been naughty and it was a form of discipline, it would less likely to be classed as a child protection issue. Another example could be if a doctor is giving a patient treatment options for kidney stones; they could allow the patient to pass the stones naturally or have it surgically removed. It is the patient’s choice to decide which route to take, however this may get misinterpreted. So, when a relative asks what the hospital is doing for them the patient says “the surgeon has told me I’m having an operation tomorrow.” If the relative then asks the doctor about the operation the doctor would reiterate what they said to the patient in the first place. • Visual: This is the use of images and charts to support the message, for example the drugs chart and observations chart (the checking of heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, S02 and fluid balance). This enables health care professionals to see what the patient’s observations and medications are, this is on a set timed basis for example every four hours, before an operation, and afterwards. It is particularly essential post–operative to see if there has been any changes to the patient’s condition. Another example could be the use of bubbles and fibre optic lights in sensory stimulation rooms for people with severe disabilities, as these stimulate the brain and helps them communicate. A further example is a picture chart, containing pictures of essential objects or tasks such as needing the toilet or wanting a drink, which could be used for a service–user who has suffered a stroke and is unable to communicate by use of speech. • Music and drama: This is the use music and drama to communicate effectively. For example if a service–user is distressed or angry the carer can use classical music to calm them to a state where they are able to talk through their problems or concerns. Role-play can also be used to help a service–user talk about their problems by talking through a situation but without specifically talking about themselves. As previously mentioned with communication using visual aids, the music in sensory rooms can also help to stimulate their mind. • Arts and crafts: A lot can be told from arts and crafts where the individual’s mood and feelings are concerned, particularly looking at the colours that have been used; reds, oranges and yellows etc are associated as warm and happy colours, whereas blues, greens and greys etc are associated as cold and sad colours. Also if a service – user cannot describe what they mean they could express their feelings through art. • Communication using technology: Over the past few decades technology has improved greatly, and now plays a huge part in life. For example nowadays people that cannot talk can get special computers that talk for them which enables them to communicate with society more effectively. Hospital staff use computers to download test results or x-rays, and although this is cutting out the oral communication with other departments, it speeds up the diagnosis and treatment for the service–user. Another example could be the Chlamydia screening for under twenty–fives, whereby they text the client their results, this helps the client get their treatment quicker and keeps the results confidential, and does not put them out of their way as they do not have to ring or visit the clinic to get the results. Also the use of email lists for service–users to communicate with health care professionals about a condition so if they have questions they are more likely to get an email response quicker than waiting for an appointment. This can help to keep the service–user reassured about a concern they may have. Types of interpersonal interaction: • Speech and language: With verbal communication, we must able to vary the way we talk to different groups of people. For example, when talking to staff about a service–user, medical terminology would be used and respect confidentiality, whereas when talking with the client or client’s relatives less complex language would be used and be empathy shown without sounding patronising. The same goes for written communication; if a doctor is referring a client to another department or writing discharge forms to the service–user’s General Practitioner (GP) or the community nurse the notes would use medical jargon, but when writing to a client to tell them that they have been referred or discharged, particularly if it concerns the condition they are suffering it would be in simple terms. Spoken, language can communicate complex and subtle messages, which enable people to develop concepts that influence the way we think and allow us to predict the future. If English is not the first language, or is not spoken at all by the service–user then the care setting should provide an interpreter or translator depending on their needs. • Non – verbal: - Posture - is the way that the mood of an individual is portrayed without the aid of verbal communication, for example if someone is sitting with their arms crossed and their head down it could be perceived that they are upset or angry. To be approachable to service – users, their relatives and fellow colleagues the health care professional needs to be show that they are open and caring, this can be done by; relaxing the shoulders, having open hands, keeping the arms by their sides and head on a slight tilt, opposed to looking at the individual straight on. - Facial expression - is the way the face is used to show expressions and emotions, for example if an individual is happy and surprised their eyebrows may be raised and have a smile on their face. To show that they are emphatic and interested in what the service–user is saying, the health care professional needs to maintain eye contact, but vary their gaze, as the client may feel threatened if they are being stared at, and at the other end of the scale, if they feel that the health care professional is not giving any eye contact they may feel that they are not being listened to. Also the health care professional should; keep their face relaxed and not frown so that they don’t appear aggressive, and keep their mouth shut, when not talking to let the service–user have their say. - Touch – is the physical contact between the health care professional and the service–user to aid effective communication. This can help the service–user to feel welcome and wanted. For example when carers shake hands with a client who is new to the care setting. If they are distressed the health care professional can use touch to let the client know they are there to support them. Touch can also to be used to gain the attention of someone who is deaf or blind or has a visual or hearing impairment. - Silence – allows the service–user the chance to voice their opinions or concerns without the carer butting in which could put them off what they are saying; it could also put words or phrases into their mind, so they are not saying their true opinions. - Proximity – is the distance between the health care professional and the service user. They may feel threatened if the carer is too close and invading their personal space, this may cause distress, leading to distrust, which has implications on their treatment. On the other hand if the carer is too far away the client may feel that they are not being cared for adequately or being listened to. However if the service–user has visual or hearing impairments they make ask for their carer to move closer in order to see or hear them better. - Variation in cultures – is the differences between cultures. England is fast becoming a multicultural society, and certain groups do not speak English as their first language or at all therefore creating a language barrier, to help this type of situation health care professionals can use aids such as an interpreter or translator, this could be another member of staff or a family member, along with translators/interpreters staff can use images to support what they are saying. Female service–user may refuse treatment from male members of staff, similarly, male service–users may refuse treatment from female staff, and the carers should do their best to comply with the service–user’s request as far as reasonably practicable. Also health care professionals should remain non–biased about cultures as this may make the service–user unwelcome and uneasy, which could lead to distrust and non–compliancy.