Developing Effective Communication In Health And Social Care Analysis Argumentative Essay Example

to consider the appropriateness of formality, as service users may misinterpret formal communication as being overly posh or arrogant. Therefore, workers in healthcare and social care settings should strive to maintain a suitable balance of formality. For instance, formal communication is often appropriate when parents are meeting staff and exploring a school, or when a doctor is treating a patient.

An illustration of formal communication is displaying politeness in greeting and introducing oneself, such as saying, 'Good morning Mrs. Hudson, I am Dry Watson and I will be taking care of you today.' Informal Communication In the field of health and social care, informal communication plays a crucial role in creating a sense of ease among both users and staff members in their environment. People may use first names when addressing each other. For instance, a nurse in a nursing home might speak to a resident and say, 'Afternoon Mrs. Eliding, are you alright love?'

When staff and service users work closely together, their relationships become more informal. However, it is still necessary to maintain a certain level of formality to ensure that workers show respect to the service users consistently. In return, service users should also treat the workers with equal respect. This can be difficult at times, especially if some service users have medical illnesses, mental issues, or personal problems that may cause them to react negatively towards those they are working with.

When colleagues communicate, it is important that they maintain respect for each other. This is because their level of respect can impact how they are perceived by service users. Additionally, engaging in informal communication is natural, but it should

not compromise professional conduct. To foster a positive work environment and demonstrate mutual respect, colleagues should start their shift, school day, or any gathering by coming together to greet and interact. Such interactions can boost morale and reinforce value and respect for one another. It is crucial for colleagues to display strong teamwork and trust in order to effectively collaborate.

In a hospital or nursing home, it is crucial for service users to trust and have confidence in the staff's ability to work together. Professionals in these settings often communicate using specialized terminology that is familiar within their own community. For instance, hospital staff may utilize specific medical terms when discussing a patient's condition. This could involve a doctor informing a nurse about "inapplicability shock," and later informing family members about the patient's "severe allergic reaction."

The purpose of clarity is to ensure that both relatives and professionals understand the situation and prevent confusion. Professionals need to use clear language when communicating with service users and when discussing specific medications with colleagues in different sectors, such as chemists who use proper terminology for certain types of medicine.

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

Forms allow individuals to communicate and exchange information, enabling them to acquire knowledge and learn new things.

Communication comes in various forms, such as sign language which is used by those who face challenges in easy communication, namely the deaf. Building relationships and boosting self-esteem heavily rely on effective communication. Inadequate communication with a child can negatively impact their ability to communicate and may lead to anxiety or feelings of insecurity for both the child and others involved. Oral Communication

Oral communication is the

primary mode of conveying information through spoken words and sentences, making it prevalent due to its widespread skill among a significant portion of the global population. Moreover, an individual's tone of voice is essential as it can reflect their personality and mood. Conversely, written communication finds extensive use in the health and social care sector.

Written communication plays a vital role in various settings such as surgeries, schools, nursing homes, and more. Its purpose is to establish connections with patients, parents, families, and care environments. This can occur through direct means like letters and emails for interactive communication or indirectly through information pamphlets placed in waiting rooms or reception desks where face-to-face interaction is absent. Additionally, individuals utilize sign language to convey emotions, personality traits, and aspects of their identity to others.

Expressions, arm gestures, and symbols are all examples of signs. Expressions, such as smiling when greeting someone, can communicate friendliness. Similarly, arm gestures serve as signs too; for instance, crossing arms may indicate a reluctance to communicate. Additionally, symbols play a significant role in our daily lives. Speed limit signs, fire exit signs, and warning signs for hazards like electrocution or fragile contents are all forms of communication through signs.

The act of communicating through touch can be intimate and may not be favored by certain individuals in personal and professional situations. In casual environments, touch is commonly employed to demonstrate affectionate closeness, like kissing or holding hands, as well as to offer solace, such as hugging or touching someone's shoulder. Moreover, it is utilized in formal contexts such as when a doctor greets a patient by shaking hands. Music and drama have

been historically recognized as powerful methods of expressing emotions.

Therapists often request clients to select a song to articulate their emotions and may employ music as a therapeutic method to facilitate the expression of their feelings. Drama is also utilized as a means to convey and depict emotions by having individuals enact and vocalize the sensations associated with a specific emotion. For instance, a person representing anger might demonstrate and verbalize what is causing their anger. Objects of Reference serve as visual aids for people to evoke joyful memories or depict a cherished holiday, ultimately conveying the notion of a contented family dynamic.

Other forms of communication can include using visual images to convey one's desires. For instance, a child can show a nurse a picture of a cup to indicate their need for a drink. Another way people communicate through the use of arts and crafts is by expressing their emotions. In therapeutic settings, children may be encouraged to draw, paint, or create crafts that represent their feelings. The choice of colors and patterns can help convey the individual's emotions in that moment. Children may also use graphic images they create to communicate their personal experiences at home, any mental issues they may be facing, or simply showcase their vivid imagination.

The use of advanced technology has greatly improved communication skills for individuals with disabilities. Hearing aids and cochlear implants not only allow people to hear, but also contribute to the development of their ability to recognize and understand speech. Additionally, devices such as phones, relay systems, and mint-come convert phone calls into text messages, making it possible for deaf or hard of hearing

individuals to read them. Similarly, visually impaired individuals can benefit from voice-activated technology that reads out text messages and content from social networking sites.

Technological advancements have made tools available to assist individuals with speech difficulties, including those recovering from a stroke or with cerebral palsy. For example, an elderly stroke patient was given a tablet with a communication app that enabled them to communicate their need for water to a nurse. Interpersonal interaction is influenced by factors such as speech patterns, language choices, and non-verbal cues, all of which have a personal impact on the person we are communicating with. Additionally, accents vary across different regions, even within cities.

In health and social care, it is often simpler to communicate with others who share the same accent. Staff members should also be mindful of regional differences in vocabulary. For example, some people use the word 'sick' to mean 'crazy' or 'amazing,' which can cause misunderstandings as these words are considered slang. Language is crucial for communication, and there are numerous languages spoken worldwide. Though the exact number of languages is uncertain, it is believed that only 600 languages have more than 100,000 speakers.

In certain countries, like England where English is the main language, there may exist a single spoken language. Nevertheless, Wales, located on the border of England, has its own native language called Welsh. Consequently, individuals in Wales are able to speak and comprehend Welsh, and healthcare professionals in this region might come across patients who exclusively communicate in Welsh. This is particularly prevalent among older individuals or those suffering from dementia. Additionally, various regions within a country may possess unique dialects

or accents that distinguish them from one another.

It can be difficult for some individuals to understand accents that are different from their own. In the United Kingdom, there are people with limited English skills due to their foreign background. Therefore, it is important for individuals to make an effort to learn and use as many words as possible in order to improve communication. In UK schools, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds may have no knowledge of English at all. As a result, these students would need personalized help in order to understand and become proficient in a second language.

Jargon refers to words used in professional environments like hospitals or GAP. It is important for staff to recognize that service users who are not professionals may not comprehend such terminology, which could lead to distress or anxiety. For instance, an emergency doctor may inform colleagues of a patient's DTV (deep venous thrombosis), but when explaining to the patient or their family, they would use simpler language like "blood clot in a large vein."

Non-verbal Posture- The way a person positions their body while sitting or standing can convey a lot about their emotions and attitude. For example, if someone sits with crossed arms and leans back, it may suggest boredom or apathy. Conversely, leaning forward in a chair can indicate interest in a specific topic. When a doctor consults with a patient and adopts the posture of leaning back with crossed arms, the patient might interpret it as lack of interest, boredom, and inattentiveness.

Facial expression- Our facial expressions often reflect our emotional state. Smiling is typically associated with happiness or excitement, while sadness is often

depicted by looking downwards and closing the mouth.

In Europe, lack of eye-contact or turning away from a speaker indicates disinterest or boredom. In healthcare and social care settings, touch should be handled cautiously to avoid misunderstandings. For instance, if a nurse or doctor touches a patient inappropriately, the patient will feel uneasy. Similarly, if a teacher does not smile while facing a classroom of young children, it may cause them to feel unhappy or uncomfortable.

In certain situations, health and social care staff may have to offer comfort to service users. For example, a nurse consoling family members after the death of a loved one can utilize touch as a means of conveying sensitive information. Within a health and social care environment, silence from a service user can indicate unease or lack of interest. If a nurse asks about pregnancy and receives no response from a female patient, it suggests she could be uncertain or frightened.

Proximity, also known as personal space, is a crucial factor for both service users and health and social care staff. While certain individuals might feel at ease with others entering their personal space, others may view it as an intrusion of privacy and potentially harmful. This is especially pertinent in scenarios like when a nurse is attending to a resident with dementia in a nursing home. In such instances, the resident might interpret the situation as menacing or abusive and retaliate by reacting aggressively, possibly due to their inability to comprehend the underlying intentions.

In health and social care settings, it is important to approach situations like this with great care and sensitivity. Reflective Listening, a crucial communication

skill, plays a significant role in conveying empathy and comprehension towards clients. Staff can achieve this by maintaining eye contact, nodding to acknowledge their words, and reiterating key points to demonstrate understanding. An example of this can be seen when a teacher welcomes new students to school.

The teacher would complete forms while engaging in conversation with the parent. Sometimes, the teacher may reiterate information when documenting it, ensuring that the child's parents feel heard and understood.

COMMUNICATION WITH LANGUAGE NEEDS AND PREFERENCES

Many individuals in the UK and globally prefer to communicate using their chosen language. Effective verbal communication is crucial in health and social care, unless a disability inhibits an individual's ability to do so.

Having knowledge of a second language can be advantageous for staff to communicate with patients who speak a different first language. In 2003, British Sign Language (BSL) was officially recognized as a language in the United Kingdom. This recognition enables deaf individuals to receive education and access information and services using BSL. For instance, when a deaf child starts school, they may need a teaching assistant who can communicate using BSL.

Megaton is a recent form of communication designed to aid individuals with learning difficulties or disabilities. It serves as a form of immunization in helping them communicate effectively. However, the deaf community does not widely use Megaton since it is not recognized as a language. Megaton involves a combination of speech and a diverse range of hand gestures and symbols for communication. For instance, children with limited verbal communication skills in special needs schools may opt for Megaton as it is deemed a more child-friendly mode

of communication.

Braille is a widely used form of communication among the blind and partially blind community. It plays a significant role in health and social care environments as well as in public settings. For instance, Braille is printed on medication boxes to assist individuals who are unable to read traditional text in identifying the correct medicine. Furthermore, advancements in technology now allow written material to be translated into Braille through computers. In addition to Braille, signs, symbols, pictures, and writing are extensively employed to convey information and communicate with us.

Writing is essential in health and social care settings to convey crucial information about health and safety, such as the potential risks of infection from dirty laundry or sharp needles. Additionally, writing on paper serves as a form of communication for individuals who cannot speak verbally. Another method of communication involves objects of reference, where gestures are used to point at an object in order to express needs or desires. For example, a child in a nursery may indicate their desire for milk by pointing at an image of a milk bottle with a cow on it.

Pictures are an effective means of communication, particularly in special needs schools where teachers utilize small booklets that can be conveniently carried around. These booklets contain various pictures, such as a red cross to signify 'no' or a thumbs up to indicate 'good'. Finger spelling, a component of BBS, involves using both hands to convey specific letters instead of entire words. This technique proves useful in spelling difficult words and names, as well as communicating words that do not have their own corresponding sign.

In a health

and social care setting, a nurse in a hospital may be able to understand finger spelling but struggle with understanding complete BBS words. If a deaf person does not have an interpreter, they can spell out their needs to the nurse for communication. Both human and technological means assist in communication. Communication aids used include sign language, Megaton, Braille, hearing aids, and speech technology. In health and social care settings, every individual has the right to choose any form of communication that makes them comfortable.

Cultural variations exist in the interpretation of body language and speech. For instance, in certain cultures, such as the white community, making direct eye contact is seen as a sign of respect during communication. Conversely, in other cultures like the black community, it is considered respectful to avoid making direct eye contact while communicating with someone. Another example is the head shaking gesture, where shaking the head is interpreted as indicating "no" in European customs, while nodding the head signifies "yes".

In Asian countries, nodding is equivalent to 'no', while shaking the head denotes 'yes'. Understanding diverse forms of communication in a health and social care setting can be challenging, but it is essential for staff to respect other cultures and make an effort to comprehend their unique modes of communication. For instance, in a school, a teacher should strive to interpret the meaning behind an Asian student shaking their head in response to a question.

THE COMMUNICATION CYCLE

In the field of health and social care, effective communication is crucial. It is important for workers to follow 'The Communication Cycle' whenever possible. This involves exchanging messages between the sender

and receiver, decoding them, and ensuring understanding. The process includes several steps:
1) The sender codes the message, deciding on its structure and form (e.g., sentence or sign language).
2) Then, the sender transmits the message to the receiver through speaking or other means.
3) The receiver hears or reads the symbols used for communication and receives the message.
4) The receiver decodes and interprets the message, considering body language as part of it.
5) If all forms of communication have been clear, the message should be understood.
6) After completing this cycle, it starts again with reversed roles - now the sender becomes the receiver and vice versa. < believed that group interaction is influenced by many aspects, such as the rationalities in the group. Some groups may take time to come together and 'bond', whereas other groups may work well together immediately. Despite this, most groups who do work together will go through the stage of formation, and other stages will follow it. TOPMAN believed there was 4 main stages to group interaction; forming, storming, morning, and performing. TCPMAN later added a fifth stage called adjourning, but not all groups would go through this stage.

If a doctor needs to inform a patient's family about their relative's passing, they can utilize the communication cycle steps to deliver this information. In sensitive situations, a group or team of health and social care workers would communicate amongst themselves. Dustman's group interaction stages would be particularly effective in such cases. When a team is diagnosing a patient with mental health issues and taking them to a mental health hospital, there is a risk of the patient reacting negatively to the

news.

In order to ensure a positive outcome, the team of mental health workers would need to plan ahead and work together to keep the individual calm while discussing the best way to handle their diagnosis and referral to a hospital.

1. The team would meet and share information about the patient, and what needs to be known about them for the task in hand. If there is a new member's to the team they would relay their strength and knowledge about the patient.
2. The team would next discuss what they think is best for the patient, discussing their medical treatment, the best form of counseling for them and other aspects of treatment. Here, there may be some disagreement as to what members of the team think is best for the patient, and because of this there could be some tension.
3. This stage is when the team come together in agreement and decide what is best for the treatment of the patient.
4. Finally the team work together and follow the hierarchy of the group to carry out their Jobs to have the patient receiving the treatment that they need. Because of the effectiveness of the other stages, the task will be carried out effectively.

Within health and social care, various types of communication can be observed to be driven by communication theories. To illustrate this, I will draw upon some examples of communication discussed in the initial section of my assignment. During my placement, I engaged in one-to-one communication with younger students. As part of the activities assigned by the teacher, I would interact

with a student and guide them in tasks such as counting, identifying shapes, and recognizing colors using modeling clay. This particular example demonstrates the functioning of the communication cycle. By asking the student to identify a shape or color, I would initiate the message. Subsequently, the student would respond with either a correct or incorrect answer, indicating their reception and understanding of the message.

According to Dustman's theory of group communication, the teacher and her colleagues engage in discussions about the curriculum and determine the most effective activities to enhance the children's education. While there may be some disagreement initially, ultimately they reach a group consensus. In my placement, I was assigned to work with a group of young boys in the older class. I took on the role of facilitating conversations and obtaining their answers, which were then recorded in the work.