1. Foundations of
Communication

2. Communication :
is the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to express or exchange information, thoughts, or ideas to someone else
Verbal-can be spoken or written. reveals individual’s education level, intellectual development, geographical and ethnicity origins
Nonverbal-is what is not being said via space, movement, touch, senses, etc

3. So why even communicate?
Establishes and maintains relationships
Use to persuade and change attitudes or behaviors
Develops an understanding of others
Assists in problem solving

4. Elements of Communication
Source – “encoder” the creator of a message
Message – the information
Channel – the route which is the information is sent (verbal or nonverbal)
Receiver – “decoder” the individual who is receiving and interpreting the message
Feedback – response the receiver gives to the sender
Interference – anything that changes the meaning of the intended message

6. Effective Communication
Verbal message is clear, complete, and concise
Knows audience and able to provide information appropriately
Awareness of nonverbal communications (body language, facial expressions, etc)
Provides information with appropriate timing

7. Barriers to Effective Communication
Barriers to Effective Communication In Health Care
Inappropriate timing and/or location Defense Mechanisms Same word has two different meanings Same word meanings but different interpretations Talking over
Heavily medicated Visual and/or hearing impairments Medical terminology Physiological condition Limited English Lack of privacy

8. Listening the conscious process of the auditory stimuli that have been perceived through hearing.
Effective listening – a skill that involves the ability to actively understand the information provided by the sender and then interpret the message
Active listening – the receiver will provide feedback to the sender by restating what was said but in their own words ***very important in medical field***
Therapeutic listening – listening to both verbally and nonverbally, understand the underlying meaning, “listening with the heart”
Selective listening – the most negative type of listening, hearing only what you want to hear

9. Conveying a positive attitude in the health care field
Health care professional must be aware of their own bias and attitudes when sending and receiving both verbal and nonverbal messages to avoid interfering with quality patient care.
Receiver must have trust in the sender before a message is accepted
If a patient feels a health care professional does not know what they are talking about, they may not accept the information or treatment
Be willing to say “I don’t know, but I will find that information for you”