Communication is a process, an act, and art that involves the transfer of information from one party to another. Communication is a vital process in human beings and also all living creatures on the planet. All animals have their mode of communication, which is different as per the species. One story that shows how crucial communication is is described in one of the religious books. Some centuries ago, people were trying to build a tower that would enable them to meet with God. As they progressed, God was unpleased and devised means of making them not to continue with the mission. The powerful weapon used to dismantle the whole plan was communication. At the start of the task, all people had a common tongue. The language of the people was changed, and misunderstanding erupted. The accomplishment of the building process became impossible since there was no complete communication. The mode of communication has evolved as technology came into place. Even though advanced communication is in place, there are inhibitors in the process. One cannot utter words to the other without putting factors on the ground into consideration. Some of these factors are age, hierarchy, state of the person, and the environment and atmosphere. The following is a description of the communication process, together with the theories in place. In the health sector, communication is one essential art that should be mastered by practitioners. Talking to a patient involves lots of care in what comes out of the mouth.
Communication theories
There are various theories laid down to describe the communication process in the health sector. The importance of the theories in explaining communication procedures in the health sectors is to inform the groundwork for health promotion. They include cognitive theories and stage step theories. ‘continuum accounts of behavior’ forms the basis of cognitive theory. This basis proposes that a specific belief or a particular set of perceptions will predict a behavior.
On the other hand, the stage step theories almost oppose the cognitive approach. This is because it assumes that the patient is non-continuum. The theory proposes that an individual undergoes a series of stages to accomplish a change of behavior.
These theories are vital since they are essential in evaluating, planning, and implementing interventions. These theories can be used to plan and design health promotion strategies. The main objective of these health strategies is to generate solutions and decisions considering all variables. All human hypothesized or devised strategies are not perfect. This means that there are cons following these theories. One, these theories objectify human experience; makes a person to be viewed as a subject who can e analyzed, measured, and adjusted. Such a practice is unethical. Two, the theory-based approach excludes political, structural, and environmental factors.
Interpersonal communication.
Interpersonal communication is one on one communication or personal level communication. For successful interpersonal communication, some mediums promote its existence. The use of mail, phone calls, and small groups are some of them.
Active listening skills.
Active listening entails full concentration on what is said. It involves listening with all senses. For the completion of active listening, both non-verbal and verbal communication skills come into play. Non-verbal skills mean communication with no utterance of any word. The art of non-verbal communication entails the use of body movement and dramatization. Eye contact is crucial in showing the speaker that the audience is attentive. Nodding your head is another way to depict acceptance. Smiling makes one reveal the aspect of humor. The verbal method entails the use of wordy utterance. Saying ‘yes’ to what the words said is a form of showing accomplished communication. In health facilities and handling the elderly, it is crucial to master such modes of interpersonal communication. This is because sometimes, the admitted people might be having problems with verbal communication. The practitioner should ensure that he or she understands the situation of the patient or the person to whom the service is administered. The response of the patient is also essential since it enables the doctor to know how efficient the mode of communication used is.
Empathy skills.
Empathy is the ability to comprehend and understand the behavior and emotions of a person. Emotional intelligence is vital in that it allows people to manage their behavior, raise self-esteem, control emotions, and productive interaction. There is always a change in how a day looks like in real life. Some days are auspicious, while others are a disaster. Such a sinusoidal life shift makes emotions change for an average person. It is thus vital to understand the change in feelings and the environment surrounding it. Being empathetic is crucial in uplifting people furthermore in the health industry. A health facility is not a ground to sustain happiness. People who come to health facilities need care, support, and love. This means that empathy is one skill that every practitioner should master.
Communication is affected by various factors. They include culture, family, and gender. Different families have their mode of communication, depending on the bonds. The relationship established between the individual in the family contributes hugely to the type of communication. A scientist considers communication at the family level as the most fundamental unit in social relationships. Culture also fifer, depending on locality and beliefs. The beliefs of people influence how they relate to each other. Culture also comes with restrictions. Some cultures have many hindrances that inhibit communication between age groups. People who believe in a culture that inhibits communication tend to be conservative and do not open up. Gender is another factor that influences communication. Interaction between different gender is dependent on personality. One can interact well with those of the same gender but poorly with those of different gender. Gender is sensitive when cultural beliefs strongly influence the way of life.
To gauge how strong or weak a communication model is, it is essential to consider the effectiveness of the resultant message. When conveying a message in a manner in which the audience has contention and understanding, then the approach used is robust. One of the strengths of the individual approach to communication is having empathy. The growth of communication is a step by step process, which involves learning and assimilating some of the needed ways. Approaching interviews in a one on one scene is vital since interpersonal skills are needful.
In conclusion, communication is essential in every setup. In health and human services, there should be considerations in how to approach a conversation. Gaining knowledge of interpersonal skills has a wide range of importance in conveying information. Also, empathy and the use of active listening skills are essential in achieving communication. Medical practitioners serving in the health sector and human services should ensure they master the skills necessary for effective communication.