Case & Study Elements Of Effectual Communication

Question: Discuss about thre Elements of Effectual Communication. Answer: Introduction According to Gluyas (2015, p. 50), communication simply means the transfer of information from one person to another. Communication can either be oral or written. Verbal communication is always conducted through face to face interactions between the sender and receiver. It can also be done through mobile phones and video calls. Written communication can be done through letters, emails, print media and journals. Effective communication, on the other hand, is communication that is clearly delivered, received and understood, (Jadhav Gupta, 2014, p. 82). When the receivers perception of the meaning of information he/she receives is as intended by the sender, then the communication is said to be effective. In a communication process, there must be a sender, the message, the medium of communication, the receiver and feedback. Some of the elements of effective communication in the healthcare industry are as discussed below. Key elements of effective communication An essential element of effective communication, especially in the healthcare industry is the sender. Healthcare providers must be responsible for effective relaying of information no matter the situation at hand, (Weller et al., 2014, p. 151). This is because the meaning of the information as received may impact significantly on the life of the patient. For example, a deaf mother who is expectant and needs to deliver. The gynecologist must have the right skills to communicate with the mother so as to understand her health condition. In this respect, a sign language specialist must be contacted if the doctor is unable to understand sign language. This is another primary element of effective communication. The communicator must use the right language that is understood by all other employees or clients, (Welch, 2011, p. 340). In the health sector, the language barrier is a major setback to effective communication. Sometimes, healthcare providers meet patients who are not native English speakers, (Matsumoto, 2011, p. 99). Such patients may speak English as a second or foreign language. In this respect, the doctors or nurses must understand the patients conditions to interact with them effectively, (Matsumoto, 2011, p. 99). Remember the doctors need to know the health problems experienced by the patients, make prescriptions and administer treatment. If the physician is unable to communicate successfully with the patient, then he/she may give a wrong order. Doctors should, therefore, be trained on language skills so as to operate smoothly in hospitals. Training may also make the healthcare providers be accurate in their language and avoid speaking or writing confusing information. The environment is a critical aspect of effective communication. The communicator should minimize destructions, (Shane et al., 2012, p. 1229). Disruptions may include noise, grapevine, negative emotions, and inappropriate language skills on the part of the sender or the receiver, (Gluyas, 2015, p. 53). Destructions can also arise from the channel of communication. For example, during phone calls, network breakdowns may occur making communication ineffective, letters may also be unreadable to the receiver due to bad handwriting or undesirable fonts. In the health sector, the healthcare providers must put themselves into the shoes of the patients. They must understand that some patients are in pain and may not be able to utter words correctly, (Shane et al., 2012, p. 1230). This calls for training of doctors on the psychology of patients and effective communication skills. Sometimes a patient is not able to speak English. The doctor would not also charge the patient for additional serv ices such as interpretation. It is, therefore, the work of the doctor to find interpreters and other additional aids that may be requested by the patient. Proper preparation and presentation. Additionally, Proper preparation and presentation is also a crucial requirement for effective communication. The communicator can prepare dynamic visual displays, structured instructions, and handbooks, (Jadhav Gupta, 2014, p. 82). Notice boards can also be used to relay important instructions as a way of communication. In the health sector, use of signs is vital in giving directions to patients, (Welch, 2011, p. 340). This is because some patients are first-time visitors and may not know the hospital. They need to be shown the direction of the laboratory, pharmacy or wards. It is, therefore, important to use effective visual displays and signs to direct the patients. Signs must be perceivable, distinguishable, unambiguous and understandable. Cultural understanding. The last characteristic of effective communication is cultural understanding. An excellent communication must be able to correctly interpret and react to situations that may bring misunderstanding as a result of cultural differences, (Squire, 2007). Cultural training should, therefore, be offered to employees to develop ways of predicting and solving any miscommunications, (Squire, 2007). In the health sector, cultural understanding is essential in effectively communicating with patients. The patients hail from different cultural backgrounds, with different beliefs, values, and norms, (Gluyas, 2015, p. 56). The physician should be aware of these beliefs so as to find creative ways of obtaining information from the patients. As a way of achieving efficiency of information, doctors should collect information from the patients themselves and not from third parties or relatives. Conclusion In conclusion, effective communication is crucial in ensuring successful transmission of information from the sender through signs, symbols, speech signals or electronic means to the recipient. The sender, language, environment and understanding of cultures are some of the essential elements of effective communication. In the healthcare industry, these factors are critical in enabling effective communication between healthcare providers and the patients, and fellow workmates. References Gluyas, H., 2015. Effective communication and Teamwork Promotes Patient Safety. Nursing Standard, 29(49), pp.50-57. Jadhav, T. Gupta, S.K., 2014. Global Communication Skills and Its Relationship with Emotional Intelligence. American Journal of Management, 14(4), p.82. Matsumoto, Y., 2011. Successful ELF Communications and Implications for ELT: Sequential Analysis of ELF Pronunciation Negotiation Strategies. The Modern Language Journal, 95(1), pp.97-114. Shane, H.C., Laubscher, E.H., Schlosser, R.W., Flynn, S., Sorce, J.F. Abramson, J., 2012. Applying technology to Visually Support Language and Communication in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(6), pp.1228-1235. Squire, D., 2007. Effective Communication. International Maritime Human Element, 14 May, Issue 14, pp. 1-8. Welch, M., 2011. The Evolution of the Employee Engagement Concept: Communication Implications. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 16(4), pp.328-346. Weller, J., Boyd, M. Cumin, D., 2014. Teams, Tribes and Patient Safety: Overcoming Barriers to Effective Teamwork in Healthcare. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 90(1061), pp.149-154.