Factors That May Influence Communication And Interpersonal Interactions Essay Example
Factors That May Influence Communication And Interpersonal Interactions Essay Example

Factors That May Influence Communication And Interpersonal Interactions Essay Example

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  • Pages: 12 (3263 words)
  • Published: December 30, 2016
  • Type: Essay
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The text explains the factors that can affect communication and interpersonal interactions in health and social care settings. It also discusses strategies used to overcome barriers to effective communication in these environments, such as sensory deprivation, language differences, cultural disparities, misinterpretation of messages, and aggression. The text then introduces the concept of the communication cycle, which consists of six main processes.

The concept of communication involves an individual's desire to convey their thoughts or ideas, regardless of the purpose - whether it is to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire. The message must be encoded in a specific form chosen by the individual, such as spoken words or sign language. Once formulated in their mind, the message is sent through various means like speaking or signing. The recipient perceives its reception through hearing words or seeing signs and decodes the message by interpr

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eting its meaning. Ultimately, if there are no communication barriers and both parties focus on understanding each other, the message is comprehended effectively.

The communication cycle demonstrates feedback through actions like responding with a message. It is presented as a bulleted list, highlighting its continuous nature and the interchange between sender and receiver. This allows both individuals to verify their comprehension of each other's intentions and maintain the conversation.

Through active listening, questioning, and , individuals participate in engaging conversations where they interact with each other. At times, the speaker may not effectively communicate their message and mistakenly believe that the listener is prepared to understand them. Furthermore, they might assume that the listener is uninformed or has joined the conversation partway through.

Various factors can hinder communicatio

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in a health and social care environment. These barriers lead to misunderstandings, assumptions, and talking at cross purposes. Professionals must understand these barriers to overcome them. Effective communication is crucial in such settings because it allows service users to actively participate in discussions about their care and future plans.

If the person providing the service cannot understand the service user's request, they will be unable to assist. Communication can be affected by different factors including sensory deprivation, which impairs senses and therefore hinders receiving or transmitting information (especially for those with visual or hearing impairments), as well as foreign language barriers, where individuals speaking different languages or using sign language may have difficulty understanding information from someone who does not speak their language.

Jargon is the use of technical language by a service provider that may not be understood by the service user. For example, a doctor may use terms like "bloods" and "MRI scan" which can be very frightening to a patient who has been rushed to the hospital. It is preferable if the doctor explains that they need to take some blood for simple tests and then provides an explanation of what an MRI scan is. Having an understanding of the facts can make something appear less intimidating. Conversely, slag refers to when a service user employs language that is not universally used, like mentioning a problem with their waterworks.

When it comes to plumbing, it can also refer to difficulties using the toilet. While slang may be acceptable among friends, it should be avoided in professional settings or when interacting with clients to prevent any misunderstandings or offense. Dialect

refers to the use of different words for common objects or emotions based on one's regional background. For example, in certain parts of England, "Innit" is used instead of "Isn't it" or "summit" instead of "something".

The use of acronyms in health and social care can be confusing, particularly when individuals use them without explaining their meanings. This can lead to misunderstandings because not everyone is familiar with these abbreviations. Consequently, mistakes can occur, and individuals may feel left out. For instance, a healthcare professional might mention "TDS" to indicate taking tablets three times a day, or someone might suggest going to the "CAB" for the Citizen's Advice Bureau. This problem is closely linked to the use of jargon.

Cultural variances can result in communication obstacles as identical behaviors may carry diverse implications in various societies. For example, maintaining eye contact during conversation is seen as courteous in Western culture but might be perceived as impolite or rebellious in specific Eastern Asian cultures. Distress can impede efficient communication since distressed individuals may find it challenging to listen attentively, which can lead to misunderstandings or a lack of comprehension. They may also display tearfulness or encounter speech difficulties. Emotional challenges are a universal occurrence for every person at some point.

People may encounter difficulties in understanding or hearing others due to experiences such as breakups, disagreements, or distressing news. These challenges can lead to misunderstandings. Similarly, individuals who are unwell may face communication obstacles compared to when they are healthy, affecting their interactions with colleagues and service users. Likewise, patients receiving hospital care for an illness may struggle to communicate as usual.

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Individuals with long term illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis may face challenges in communication, necessitating awareness from those who interact with them. Environmental factors can also impede communication. For example, individuals with poor vision may struggle to read in poorly lit spaces. Likewise, individuals in wheelchairs may encounter difficulties communicating with receptionists if the desk is positioned too high above their heads.

Misinterpretation of message happens when someone misinterprets another person's body language. For example, if someone crosses their arms and taps their feet, they might just be impatiently waiting for someone who is running late, but others may mistakenly see it as them being angry at them. This misunderstanding can discourage them from asking for help. Two obstacles to effective communication are aggression and assertion. Aggression refers to behaviors that are unpleasant, intimidating, or scary and can take different forms such as physical, mental, or verbal actions that cause physical pain or emotional harm to the recipient.

Various factors, such as substance misuse, mental health issues, personality problems, fear, or an attempt to dominate others, can cause aggression. Those who display aggressive behavior are commonly referred to as bullies. Aggression serves as a form of communication that expresses a person's emotional state, like annoyance. Nevertheless, it also hinders effective communication. Aggression is often uncontrollable and has the potential to be harmful. When someone shouts at another person, for instance, the recipient may feel afraid and react by either shouting back or ceasing communication with the aggressive individual.

When someone in a health or social care environment is irritated or frustrated, it can have negative effects on the person

they are assisting. This can lead to feelings of being dominated, threatened, and difficulty communicating effectively. Consequently, there may be a decline in the quality of service provided due to breakdowns in communication. On the contrary, assertion involves calmly and confidently expressing one's needs, emotions, and thoughts without aggression. It also involves acknowledging and respecting the opinions and feelings of others.

To be assertive, individuals should plan their communication. They should aim to be polite and clearly state the issue, explaining how it personally affects them and sharing their emotions. Additionally, they should express their desired outcome. It is important to acknowledge the other person's perspective and be open to compromise if it aligns with their goals. Remaining calm and authoritative while interacting with others, controlling emotions such as anger or tearfulness, is recommended. Furthermore, individuals should be prepared to defend their position and have the ability to say no when necessary.

Effective communication involves overcoming barriers. One way to do this is by using assertive verbal skills, including listening, summarizing, asking closed and open-ended questions, clarifying, and . It is important to use these skills in a firm and calm manner. By asking questions like "how can we solve this problem?" and using the "broken record" technique of repeating statements softly, calmly, and persistently without causing offense. Moreover, it is essential to exhibit relaxed body language like making firm eye contact with relaxed facial features and utilizing open hand gestures.

and closed questions are useful tools in the checking understanding part of the communication cycle. involves restating someone's statement in a different manner to ensure comprehension. For instance, if

someone says "I have been ill since Sunday," acould be "So you have been sick for four days now." On the other hand, closed questions can be answered with a single word or short phrase. For example, the question "Do you like sprouts?" can be responded with a simple "No" or "No, I cannot stand them." Closed questions provide factual answers, are quick and easy to reply to, and help maintain control of the conversation.

Open questions serve various purposes. They can function as an introductory question, such as "are you feeling better?", to assess someone's comprehension, like "so you want to go on the pill?", or to conclude a conversation, such as "so that's your final decision?". Open questions prompt longer responses. For example, if asked "why don't you like sprouts?", one might reply with "I haven't liked the taste or smell of them since I was made to eat them all the time as a child". These types of questions give control over the conversation to the individual being addressed.

Open questions are designed to promote self-reflection and the sharing of opinions or emotions. They complement closed questions by providing further information, helping individuals identify and address their issues, and showing empathy. Clarification involves making something understandable, while summarizing provides a brief summary of what has been discussed. Communication barriers can cause feelings of isolation, particularly in healthcare or social care environments. Therefore, it is essential to overcome these obstacles.

The following ways can help minimize barriers to communication. One way is by adapting the environment, which can be achieved through improving lighting for individuals with

sight impairments and reducing background noise for those with hearing impairments. Another way is by installing lifts that provide voice information, such as when the doors are opening and closing and indicating the current floor for those who have visual limitations. Additionally, ramps can be added, reception desks can be lowered, and signs can be positioned lower on walls to ensure that individuals with physical disabilities can access necessary people and information.

In order to effectively support individuals, service providers must understand their language needs and preferences. This may involve rephrasing messages to make them more concise and easily understood, while avoiding slang, jargon, and local dialects as much as possible. Additionally, service providers should provide detailed explanations to individuals with visual impairments and encourage them to explore objects through touch. Rather than raising their voices, service providers should communicate using clear, normal speech and ensure that their faces are visible for individuals with hearing impairments. Depending on the individual's needs, service providers may utilize a communicator or interpreter for spoken or signed languages or use visual aids such as pictures or written messages.

Public bodies, including the health service, now produce leaflets in different languages to ensure that individuals who do not speak English can access the information. When a service user has a preferred language, staff members who speak that language help with translation. However, it is important to inquire about the service user's preferred language for both written and spoken communication. Furthermore, selecting the right moment to communicate vital information to a service user is crucial.

When a patient is told by their doctor that they have a life-threatening

illness, it is crucial to allow them time to process the information. If the doctor immediately talks about treatment, the patient may not fully understand because they are in shock. It might be better to schedule another appointment once the patient has had time to absorb the news and is ready for more information. Using different electronic devices like mobile phones, telephone amplifiers, and a hearing loop can help overcome communication obstacles.

Mobile phones are a more economical choice compared to computers as they are readily available and affordable. In health and social care, they serve various purposes such as enabling communication between emergency response teams, connecting surgical teams with organ transplant recipients, and collecting/transmitting information. This is especially significant in developing countries where individuals may be located far from the nearest medical professional.

Telephone amplifiers increase the volume of a phone's ring tone to assist people with hearing difficulties, including those who wear hearing aids. These devices can also amplify the voice of the person speaking on the other end by up to 100%. In addition to amplification, telephones may also feature flashing lights that indicate an incoming call, benefiting individuals who are hard of hearing. Hearing loop systems are designed to improve sound clarity for deaf individuals using a hearing aid or loop listener by reducing or eliminating background noise. For example, at home, one can utilize a loop system to enhance sound from their television.

They can also use a microphone loop to hear conversations in noisy areas. In theatres, a loop can improve hearing during shows. A hearing impaired student can wear a loop while the teacher uses

a microphone to aid in hearing instruction. When it is not possible to overcome communication barriers, alternate forms of communication, such as sign language, must be utilized. Sign language relies on using hand, arm, body, and facial expressions to convey thoughts instead of spoken words.

Communities that include deaf individuals, their friends, families, and those who are hard of hearing commonly utilize sign language. People with normal hearing often rely on visual cues from the lips and face to understand information without realizing it. However, there is a widespread misconception about deafness, leading to false beliefs that people with hearing impairments are impolite or unintelligent. As a result, deaf individuals can feel isolated and excluded from everyday interactions and activities, causing them to experience frustration and diminished self-confidence.

Lip reading is an important technique for people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties. It involves interpreting the movements of a person's lips, face, and tongue while also utilizing any residual hearing. Direct eye contact with the speaker and a well-lit environment are essential for effective lip reading. Human aids, like interpreters, play a crucial role in enabling communication between individuals who speak different languages, whether spoken or signed.

Both translators and signers encounter the challenge of conveying meaning along with words or signs. Translators convert recorded information, like written text, into another language while expressing both the meaning and word choices. Conversely, signers utilize sign language for communication. Successful listening entails more than just hearing; individuals must also interpret the significance behind spoken words and generate a suitable response.

Various nonverbal cues can demonstrate how we listen to someone, including body

language, facial expressions, and eye contact. Behaviors like yawning or focusing on notes during a conversation can indicate disinterest, while shaking one's head and frowning can show disagreement or disapproval. To actively listen, it is crucial to give the speaker uninterrupted time to express themselves. Encouraging gestures such as smiling, nodding, and positive remarks like "that's interesting" are important. Asking for clarification by saying "can you explain that again please?" demonstrates a genuine interest in understanding. Showing empathy involves acknowledging any difficulties the speaker may be facing. Maintaining eye contact and avoiding distractions like checking a watch or responding to mobile interruptions are essential. Summarizing what has been said helps ensure understanding; for example, saying "so what you mean is..?".

Language is adjusted by individuals depending on who they are speaking to, whether it's friends, family, or others. This variability in language usage can make it challenging for people to comprehend. Even without realizing it, individuals may modify their accent or dialect when conversing with family members or people from their hometown.

The way individuals communicate is just as important as what they say. Speaking loudly and with a fixed tone can make the listener perceive anger, while speaking calmly and quietly with a varying tone can make them perceive friendliness and kindness. Furthermore, if someone speaks rapidly and enthusiastically, the listener may not be able to catch all the information conveyed.

When individuals hesitate or use filler words like "um" or "er," it becomes more challenging for others to focus on their speech. However, if they maintain a consistent pace, they can deliver their message more clearly, ensuring that every word

is heard. The area surrounding an individual is known as their personal space, where one's proximity should be respected. In formal settings, such as doctor-patient conversations, doctors maintain an appropriate distance to avoid intruding on personal space. Conversely, in casual situations, friends or intimate individuals often sit closer to each other.

People generally adjust their seating position to be at eye level, whether they are in a formal or confrontational setting. However, sitting at an angle to each other can help create a casual and friendly atmosphere. Effective communication, including active listening, requires effort. Individuals in healthcare or social care settings often find joy in understanding others and their experiences. However, problems can arise if the context is improper, such as inadequate privacy or a mismatch between the service provider and user.

Various factors, such as age, education level, gender, and ethnic backgrounds can contribute to communication breakdowns. Some individuals may withhold information out of fear of judgment, like revealing illegal drug use. This fear is often driven by concerns about confidentiality breaches, although this should never occur. It is essential for health and social care workers to develop effective communication skills to ensure efficient work and prevent possible errors.

The negative consequences of this can impact the self-esteem of service users and potentially lead to more severe outcomes. It is vital for health and social care workers to effectively communicate through writing. This encompasses composing different types of written communication, including referral letters for other services, documenting individuals' conditions and treatments, outlining entitlements to benefits, or prescribing medication. Hence, it is crucial for these professionals to have expertise in presenting information

in various formats like letters, memos, emails, reports, and forms.

To avoid errors, individuals must prioritize clear communication and organized information. It is also important to use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as legible handwriting or typing. This ensures that the intended recipient can understand the message effectively. Furthermore, when writing formal essays or reports, it is crucial to use suitable language and refrain from using text abbreviations commonly used in mobile communication.

When communicating with their brother through email or letter, individuals may start the conversation by saying "hi bro." However, when applying for a job, they would typically begin with either "dear Sir/Madam" or "Dear Mr/Mrs." Additionally, care professionals should be cautious not to use technical terms, acronyms, or jargon if the recipient is unfamiliar with them. It is crucial for care professionals to thoroughly review information provided by other care workers and efficiently identify important points. They must also have ICT skills in order to update records and access information from various sources.

In this assignment, I have discussed the factors that can affect communication and interpersonal interactions in health and social care environments. I have also explained the strategies employed to overcome barriers to effective communication and interpersonal interactions in these settings. These barriers include sensory deprivation, foreign language usage, jargon, slang, dialect, acronyms, cultural differences, distress, emotional challenges, health problems, and environmental issues. Additionally, I have addressed the challenges posed by misinterpretation of messages, aggression, and assertion. Furthermore, I have explored ways to overcome these obstacles in health and social care environments.

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