Introduction
Good communication is a critical component and foundation of a successful healthcare. In health sector, effective communication is a basic tool for every healthcare professional. They should adhere to effective communication when dealing with different people they interact with such as patients, colleagues, and other team members. Passing of information from one person to another is communication while the ability to clearly convey information and ideas is what we call effective communication. It is good to understand the strategies, the importance and the barries to effective communication, as far as health professionals are concerned.
STRATEGIES OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Strategies are techniques that health professions can use to improve communication Below are some of the strategies that the healthcare professionals should adhere to come up with effective communication.
- Active listening: This is whereby you pay full attention to the other party/ the patient so that you can show concern to what he is she is saying. This will help you understand the conversation and give quality response to the patient.
- Openness: Encouraging patients to speak up freely by asking open ended questions and telling the truth of the matter without being judgemental regardless the gender and the situation.
Clarity and consciousness: This is being clear in your explanation, avoid using jargon while talking to the patients and other members for clear understanding and flow of conversation.
- Non verbal communication: Take note of non-verbal cues and pay attention to
verbal cues include, facial expression, gestures, eye contact among others.
- Respect: This is treating a patient with love care and dignity, regardless of their gender background and cultural believes.
- Empathy: Understanding a persons emotions, feelings and experiences. It helps in building strong relationship wit patients and other members.
- Teamwork and collaboration: Healthcare professionals should enhance effective communication through working together. Unity brings out quality service.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Language barrier: Differences in languages can be a barrier to effective communication, and this can lead to misunderstanding between the health provider and the patient. Its always advisable to use a language that is easily understood.
Health literacy: Instructions given by the healthcare professional becomes difficult to be understood by the patients and they end up following wrong medical information.
Hierarchical structures: Power differences tempers with openness in communication between health providers and patients, making communication less effective.
Time constraints: Limited appointment times may lead to inadequate exchange of information and ideas; hence the communication becomes less effective.
Emotional distress: A patient may be suffering emotionally or maybe stressed over the disease and the pain he/she is undergoing making it difficult to communicate effectively.
Technology overload and dependency: Health workers rely on electronic health records which may limit interaction and reduce the quality of communication.
IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Builds trust: Effective communication enhances trust between the patient and the health provider leading to better outcome of services.
Enhances patient satisfaction: Effective communication leads to better patient care and treatment which improves patients outcome results.
Reduces medical error: Miscommunication can increase the risk of medical error which causes harm to patients. Effective communication reduces the risk of medical error.
Improves team work and unity: Effective communication promotes collaboration among the healthcare workers hence giving out the best services.
Improved morale: It can improve morale and satisfaction in healthcare provision leading to the better results. Health workers can build motivation through effective communication.
Improves treatment adherence: Effective communication improves the rapport between the health care provider and the patient hence the patient can be adhered to in a better and proper way.
Time & cost saving: Effective communication reduces the cost caused by miscommunication which can give efficient time for operation among the health workers.
CONCLUSION
Effective communication is a vital tool for the healthcare professionals. They must priotize a good communication skill and strategy for quality outcome. Its a tool that helps them build strong bond and relationship with patients colleagues and other members. Through addressing communication barriers and focusing on adopting communication strategies, health workers will improve patient outcome, reduce the medical error and cost and give out their best. Effective communication is not only learnt but also given a commitment of the higher standards. Healthcare providers should adhere to effective communication regardless of their personal situations just to offer better patient healthcare.
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