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Communication in health and social care
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Communication in health and social care essay covering P1, P2 and M1 in unit 1 communication
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Unit 1 – CommunicationEffective communication and good interpersonal skills are important in everyday life. However, they
are particularly vital in a health and social care setting as there are many different groups of people
from different backgrounds and ages with individual needs to consider. In a health and social care
setting there are many different groups to communicate with, for example health care professionals,
nurses, doctors, social workers, physiotherapists, pharmacists and radiographers.
These professionals will need to adapt their style of communication to the situations in their work
environment. These types of communication consist of verbal communication, non- verbal
communication and written communication.
Within the verbal communication there are different forms such as clear speech, pace, tone and
pitch of voice, appropriate use of language formal and informal, age – appropriate language, active
listening skills, the use of interpersonal skills and group communication.
Non – verbal communication is also important as it involves the basic traits we take for granted
including facial expressions, eye contact, posture, gestures, sign language, body language and
appropriate use of touch and personal space. These communication skills must be upheld for a
professional to do their profession effectively by demonstrating the most appropriate use of them
into practise.
To also ensure effective communication skills are met, the professionals in a health and social care
setting should be able to explain the current situation to their service user in an effective form, by
adapting to the service user’s needs through appropriate forms of communication. If the service user
is not aware of the situation in hand by not being addressed in the right format such as professional
jargon, they may become confused, anxious and stressed. Therefore, the service user is not able to
understand and process the information, which is then an ineffective example of communication.
To effectively communicate you need to make sure you don’t interrupt, actively listen to what others
say, use the appropriate body language, not to use jargon/professional speak and make your voice
clear and simple for the service users to understand. By doing this it builds a good foundation for
that person to trust you and to then gain a good relationship between service user and staff. It also
communicates with the service user that you have a caring, non- judgemental nature which is overall
securing that you are approachable and respectful as a professional.
An ineffective form of communication would be if a professional was raising their voice or shouting
at a service user that is deaf, perhaps out of impatience. The appropriate way for a professional to
communicate with a deaf service user would be to use a mixture of hand gestures, body language by
facing the service user, sign language and lip reading.
If the professional cannot sign they should ensure to find someone who has that experience of the
deaf and consider learning it, as it would make the service user feel more valued. Therefore, this
service user will feel comfortable as they will be listened to in any situation that they are placed in.
Overall, effective communication is important to create a safe environment and removes barriers to
do the job effectively in any care situation. In particular in a care home setting staff need to welcome
relatives who come in to that environment to see their family members and will need to be
respectful to the visitors and when dealing with their colleagues. By having a friendly manner,
smiling, eye contact, making conversation and the use of welcoming hand gestures, all of this will
make a massive difference in how the residents and relatives will feel in your company.
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