1. Three Elements of Effective Communications 4.3
Communicating effectively with others is important for health care workers
Must communicate with patients, doctors, coworkers, and family members
Communication-exchange of information, thoughts, ideas, feelings
May be verbal, written, or nonverbal (facial expressions, body language, and touch)

2. Communication
1. Sender- an individual who creates a message to convey information or an idea to another person
2. Message- information, ideas, thoughts
3. Receiver- an individual who receives a message from the sender
Feedback should be used to determine if communication is successful
Allows sender to evaluate how message was interpreted and make necessary adjustments

3. Factors that Interfere
Message must be clear and concise
Terms must be modified or defined
Receiver must be able to hear and receive the message (patients with hearing and visual impairments)
Receiver must be able to understand message
The attitude of both the patient and the worker can affect the reception of the message

4. Distractions that Should be Avoided
Can interfere with any communication
Talking with others while answering the phone
Loud noises
Bright lights
Uncomfortable temperatures
Loud television or radio

5. Listening Essential part of effective communications
Means to pay attention to and make an effort to hear what the other person is saying
Techniques for good listening skills:
Be alert and maintain eye contact
Avoid interrupting the speaker
Eliminate your own prejudices
Ask for clarification if you do not understand

6. Nonverbal Communication
Use of facial expressions, body language, gestures, eye contact, and touch to convey messages or ideas
Important to be aware of your own and the patients nonverbal behavior
When verbal and nonverbal behavior agree receiver is more likely to understand the message being sent

7. Barriers
Communication barrier is something that gets in the way of clear communication
Three common causes
1.Physical disabilities
2. Psychological attitudes and prejudices
3. Cultural diversity

8. Physical Disability
1. Deafness or Hearing Loss- have difficulty receiving messages
Use body language and gestures, speak clearly in short sentences, face the individual, make sure any hearing aids are in working order, sign language interpreter
2. Blindness or Impaired Vision- cannot see body language or gestures
Use a soft tone, describe events that are occurring announce your presence as you enter the room, explain noises

9. Physical
3. Aphasia or Speech Impairment- loss or impairment of the power to use or comprehend words, usually as a result of injury or damage to the brain
Can also have difficulty with written word
May know what they want to say but have difficulty remembering the correct words

10. Cultural Diversity
Culture consists of the values, beliefs, attitudes, and customs shared by a group of people
Passed from generation to generation
Often defined as a set of rules
Have their own beliefs about illness and treatment

11. Recording and Reporting
Senses are used to make observations
Objective- can be seen or measured
Examples: bruise, cut, rash, swelling, blood pressure, pulse, temperature
Subjective- cannot be seen or felt
Examples: complaints or statements made by patient
Observations recorded on a patients chart must be accurate, concise, and complete
Errors- crossed out neatly with a straight line, record error next to it, show initials of person making the error
Never use white out