1. Interpersonal relations as a health professional
By Amy Lindgren

2. Key Points The Importance of Interpersonal communications
Communicating with diverse people
Important communication skills
Non-verbal Communication by Patients
Non-verbal Communications by Health Professionals
Emotions in communication
Self-Refection

3. The Importance of Interpersonal Communications
Needs to be second nature
Work towards being an expert
It’s more than friendliness
Helping them be comfortable with you
Listening so you can understand what it is they are saying
They may not know how to express what is wrong
Ask the right questions to help them
Interacting with patients on a daily basis

4. Communicating with Diverse People
Some patients need to talk it out while others don’t
Let them talk if they need it
Don’t force them to talk if they don’t
Differences in talking with adults, children and elders
Each needs to be communicated differently to understand what is being said to them
Differences in cultural and religious background
Understanding the cultural beliefs and religious beliefs
Giving respect where cultural or religious beliefs over rule medical decisions

5. Important Communication Skills
Listening
The number one skill needed
Need to understand what is being said to help
Pictures and Tapes
Some understand better through pictures and tapes
Body Language
Making them comfortable with you to talk
Be inviting to them
don’t be closed to them

6. Important Communication skills
Tone of voice
Pleasant and nice
Not stern or rude
Attention to the person
Keep eye contact with them
Respond to them when needed
Don’t let yourself be interrupted when they are talking

7. Non-verbal Communications by Patients
Some signs may be expressed through non- verbal communications
If they are in pain they may show it but not tell you
How willing they are to talk with you about what is wrong
Need to adjust how you talk with them by the non-verbal signs

8. Non –verbal communications by Health professionals
Help develop rapport with the patient
Always be open in your gestures
Keep gestures appropriate to the conversation
Don’t close yourself off from the patient
Closed off from the patient can lead them to not trusting you
Don’t turn your back to them when they are talking
Don’t busy yourself with other things when communicating with the patient

9. Emotions in Communication
Be aware of your emotions
Be aware of the patients emotions
Being emotional for the patient is alright to express but keep it in control
Don’t be too matter of fact
Don’t express anger
Turn off emotions when needed
Understand the situation and what emotions need to be and don’t need to be expressed

10. Self-refection
What I learned through this interview is how much more important interpersonal communication is for my career. It is important to be aware of all ways to communicate. I have learned to be more aware of how I communicate and what I need to work on so that I can communicate effectively with patients. This has helped me understand that it isn’t just about services to the patient but helping them get through the problem that exists. It also made me more aware about non-verbal communication and how important I need to be more observant. Sometimes the only way to understand something is to see it.