Different Stages in the Communication Cycle Essay Example

and corporate letters. In the Health and Social Care sector, formal communication would include staff meetings such as official evaluations of staff work in supervision with their Line Manager. These formal meetings are also documented. Similarly, a Child Case Conference would be regarded as a form of formal communication through both written and oral means.

While every attempt will be made to ensure the child and family understand the proceedings, formal communication can also occur between individuals meeting for the first time. This type of communication is direct, official, and consistently precise, with a strict and inflexible tone. In contrast, informal communication involves open and unrestricted interactions between individuals who have a casual relationship. Informal communication requires a shared understanding between two people and usually happens within friendships or family connections.

Informal communication is characterized by the absence of strict rules and guidelines. These relaxed conversations are not limited by time, location, or topic. They can go on indefinitely, as we experience in our informal talks with people we care about. For example, a nurse could spare a moment from their hectic schedule to engage in conversation with an elderly patient about different subjects like the weather, television shows, family matters, overall health, or even emotions. Additionally, they can also provide clarification for any doubts the patient may have about their illness or prescribed medication.

By displaying care and concern, the staff can enhance the patient's sense of security and trust. This, in turn, can improve their mood, alleviate concerns, and promote open communication. One-on-one interactions are exclusively between two individuals.

One to one interaction, such as a doctor providing medical

information to a patient after listening to their symptoms and feelings or a counselor assisting a client in therapy, ensures that each person involved is fully attentive to each other. This type of interaction benefits patients by enhancing their self-esteem and confidence, making them feel heard and valued, as it demonstrates someone's dedication of time specifically for them.

When there is only one person listening and no audience, the client should be able to feel more confident and comfortable expressing their feelings and thoughts. Distractions like a ringing phone or faulty lighting should not be present as they can interrupt communication flow. A skilled professional will be both a good listener and communicator, using questioning techniques to help the client open up verbally and in their thought process. Group interaction enables sharing of views, ideas, and important information with multiple individuals simultaneously.

In a social care setting, various forms of group interaction can be observed. These include service users meetings, support groups, group therapy sessions, and social events. The participation in these activities brings several benefits to the patients. Firstly, it allows them to present and share their ideas with others in the group. This collaborative environment also helps in finding solutions collectively. Moreover, engaging in group interaction enhances their social skills and overall enjoyment of life.

An example of how this is beneficial is seen among older individuals who may have limited opportunities to leave their homes frequently. They can participate in activities like lunch and a tea dance, which not only provide a chance for socializing but also contribute to improving their mental and physical health. Furthermore, through such interactions,

they connect with others who are of similar age or share common interests.

One possibility is that there is a mother and toddlers group in the community where parents and carers can exchange advice and receive assistance from their peers. This allows children to build relationships outside of their immediate family and develop social skills of their own. Group interactions are crucial in preventing individuals from feeling isolated. Visual communication, on the other hand, involves displaying information through typography, photography, signs, symbols, and designs. Television and video clips serve as examples of electronic visual communication.

People who have low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems may discover that expressing themselves visually and creatively through art or photography in an art therapy class is more effective. Likewise, different techniques exist to aid disabled individuals in visual communication, such as employing sign language (BSL) for deaf people. Furthermore, some disabled individuals possess communication passports that detail their preferred communication methods. These passports frequently incorporate the use of signs and symbols arranged like a deck of cards to make communication easier.

Using music and drama effectively can be a powerful form of communication. It has the ability to create a certain atmosphere within a group, such as in a youth club where loud music can help calm down an overexcited group and establish a positive environment. Furthermore, engaging in drama activities can encourage teamwork, fostering strong bonds among group members and improving their communication and social skills. The same positive outcomes can be achieved with younger children through arts and crafts.

Arts and crafts in health and social care settings enable young

patients to communicate their emotions and physical pain. These activities allow them to express themselves through smiley and sad faces, which indicate the intensity of discomfort. Nonetheless, disabilities typically result in communication barriers as individuals tend to interact with caregivers instead of directly addressing the person. As a result, people with disabilities may feel unseen by society.

In order to assist those who face language barriers, individuals in the social care field have cultivated specific abilities. Advocates act on behalf of others, particularly when service users are unable to advocate for themselves due to conditions such as learning disabilities or dementia. Advocates may include family members or individuals closely associated with the clients. Conversely, interpreters enable effective communication between individuals who speak different languages by being proficient in both languages.

Interpreters are essential in communication as they possess language skills and understanding of idioms used by both parties. Their role is to accurately interpret spoken language. Translators, on the other hand, focus on translating written texts between languages. When I need to communicate with someone who doesn't speak English fluently, I rely on interpreters who can effectively translate between English and the person's native language.

In addition, individuals with visual impairments may require aids and adaptations to overcome barriers. There are various visual support aids available for them, such as enhanced computer software for reading and writing, video magnifiers, talking books, voice translators, etc.

In order to facilitate effective communication for individuals with disabilities, such as blindness, it is important to provide assistance.

Technology in health and social care helps improve communication by enhancing sound quality, enlarging letters, and assisting

individuals in processing information through various formats. Braille is a communication method specifically tailored for people with blindness or limited vision. It utilizes raised dots that can be sensed by touch. When engaging in one-on-one communication, professionals may request the use of Braille signs to enable physical interaction with the information.

Extra technological assistance is needed for hearing impaired individuals. Sign language, which includes gestures, facial expressions, and body language, is a visual communication method. Text phones or mobile phones allow people with hearing impairments to stay connected with loved ones and can be used in healthcare and social care settings to remind them of important appointments or inform them of meeting outcomes relevant to them. Conversely, hearing aids are inserted into the ear and amplify sounds, aiding individuals with hearing impairments by increasing the volume of all sounds.

Information Communication

Technology plays a vital role in facilitating communication for individuals with disabilities. It allows them to connect with others and access information, overcoming physical or mental barriers they may face. By using computers and the internet, people can stay in touch with loved ones, keep up with support groups or their health condition, and shop online independently. Effective communication skills are essential in the health and social care field across different contexts.

Communication is an ongoing process that happens constantly and in different settings, regardless of our awareness or intentions. We have explored different ways of communicating and interpersonal skills are the abilities that help facilitate interaction with others, promoting effective communication. In the field of health and social care, having strong communication skills is crucial as they play

a vital role in enabling professionals to:

• develop positive relationships with people using services and their families and friends, so they can understand and meet their needs
• develop positive relationships with work colleagues and other professionals share information with people using the services, by providing and receiving information
• report on the work they do with people. Another way that communication can be broken down is verbal and non-verbal communication.

Oral communication refers to the spoken words in the communication process, whether it occurs face-to-face or through phone calls or voice chats online. Factors such as voice modulation, pitch, volume, speed, and clarity can influence how people speak.

Written communication, whether through mail or email, is another form of verbal communication. Its effectiveness depends on factors such as writing style, vocabulary choice, grammar, clarity, and precision. Non-verbal communication includes body language (body posture, hand gestures, and overall body movements) along with facial expressions which can convey a person's mood.

Non-verbal communication can be expressed through different gestures, such as handshakes, smiles, and hugs. It can also be represented visually with pictures, signboards, photographs, sketches, and paintings. Non-verbal communication is influenced by body language like posture. For instance, sitting slouched on a chair may convey disinterest, while crossed arms might indicate negativity or defensiveness towards someone or something.

The way we communicate through movement is expressive. For instance, shaking your head during someone else's speech may convey disagreement, while waving your arms can indicate excitement.

Facial expression plays a significant role in conveying emotions. Our eyes, for

instance, can give away our feelings. They widen when we feel excitement, happiness, or attraction towards someone. A smile is indicative of happiness, while a frown signifies annoyance.

Touching another person can convey messages of care, affection, power, or sexual interest.

It is important to consider the environment and intended message before physically interacting with someone in a health and social care setting. Offering a comforting arm around a distressed child in a hospital or nursery can greatly enhance their well-being, but an older person doing the same to a teenager may cause discomfort.

The majority of individuals can comprehend ordinary signs, symbols, and images. For example, a simple hand wave can function as a way to say hello or goodbye, while a thumbs up gesture indicates that all is well.

Pictures of objects like an X-ray or a model of a knee joint can effectively convey messages in health or social care settings. These visuals are especially helpful for individuals who require a knee replacement as they aid in understanding the procedure involved. Effective communication plays a vital role in such settings because if service users do not understand what is being said, they cannot actively engage in discussions about their care or future planning. Similarly, service providers are unable to assist if they cannot comprehend the requests made by service users.