Communication Opinion Paper
Rochelle Washington
HCS/320-Health Care Communication Strategies
11/24/2014
Dr. Kelly Hernandez
Effectiveness through Communication
Communication is the key to a successful professional or personal relationship. To become a skilled communicator, you must learn the essential elements through communication. On a daily basis, communication becomes a part of a human’s interaction and role. In order for the interaction to remain healthy and productive, one must relay vital components through the entire process. Effective listening should be learned by all of us in efforts to gain a better understanding of the needs and point of view of others. Regardless of the profession, barrier or cultural differences, communication can remain effective as long as the actual message is delivered in its entirety.
Encoding the Basic Elements of Communication
As simple as communication may be, there still has to be guidelines for it to become effective. “There is more to effective communication than putting thoughts into words. Understanding other people’s perceptions and clearly expressing your own are important aspects of communication (Riddle, 1999).” The sender must relay the message, and feedback is critical from the receiver. At any point, if there is a failed step in the process, communication can lack thought, meaning and information. No communication is effective unless you know what you’re hoping to accomplish by it.
Healthcare vs. Effective Communication
Just as communication is important in our daily lives, it is vital in the healthcare field as well. The basic elements of communication are more alike than they are different from the basic rules of health care communication. This field survives on positive relationships between a team member’s communication skills and a patient’s responsibility to follow through with medical recommendations. Different from informal communication, professionals such as doctors and nurses are aware that they have to translate technical language to a level where anyone could understand, especially their patients. When telling someone that they are for example “terminally ill” you would have to break it to them gently and carefully so that they understand you. Health care professionals need to build a relationship with patients at a distance. They should connect with patients on certain levels, and refrain from engaging too emotionally and socially with the patients. Whereas, in the basic elements of communication, you must become sensitive to their thoughts, sympathetic and remain social with your response at all times (Riddle, 1999). Also, Health care professionals carry the responsibility of educating and listening at the same time. An effective health care communicator needs to be able to ask the appropriate questions to gather needed information while listening to the responses in detail. The basic elements include a process from the sender, to the message, including feedback and then back to the receiver. Undivided attention is gained.
Encouraging Communication
Your ability to listen effectively will make your life easier and happier especially if you are in professional sales. Sales is probably one of the most challenging fields to succeed in due to having to constantly express, communicate and rely on feedback and interaction. Great success in sales lies in the ability to learn how to listen. Without understanding the needs of customers, it is unlikely that you will be able to satisfy their needs. If salespeople would learn the techniques of listening, their life would be easier and their commissions much higher. Instead of aiming an array of technical jargon and statistics at the customer, the provider should try asking questions and getting to know your customer by building a relationship with him or her. Customers don't buy from people they are suspicious about or from people for whom they hold a low opinion. Reflective listening is one of the most effective