Why is effective communication important in health and social care?

Effective communication is important in all aspects of life. It helps avoid misunderstandings because you will know what others think. Effective communication helps you connect with people. This fulfils the human need for socialising. Communication helps you to get what you want by expressing yourself appropriately. Effective communication is important especially when one wants to communicate a complex idea. Effective communication can be both written and oral and needs to have elements of organization, coherence and sequence in order to effectively engage with your audience. Effective communication is important because it leads to understanding each other, raises awareness, and can provide important information.

What is effective communication?

Effective communication helps us better understand a person or situation and enables us to resolve differences, build trust and respect, and create environments where creative ideas, problem solving, affection, and caring can flourish. As simple as communication seems, much of what we try to communicate to others and what others try to communicate to us gets misunderstood, which can cause conflict and frustration in personal and professional relationships. By learning these effective communication skills, you can better connect with your others all around you.

What different forms of communication might be used in health and social care contexts?

In health and social care there are many different types of communication such as:
Unspoken communication using facial expressions.
Texting messaging using mobile phones.
Artwork, paintings, photographs, sculptures, architecture, ornaments and other objects communicate messages and emotions.
Communication using information technology, e.g. emails and other technological aids to communication.
Braille communication using raised marks on paper that can be touched.
The use of signed (visual) languages.
Written communication.
Spoken (oral) communication within groups of people.
Music and drama have been called the language of emotion. Mime and drama provide powerful ways of communicating.
One to one spoken communication between individuals.

How does communication differ according to the situation or context in which it is taking place?

Communication strengths can change depending on the context of who the communication is between. When communication between colleagues the degree of formality is often informal, this is because colleagues feel comfortable around each other and confident. On the other hand the colleagues have to ensure that they still demonstrate respect for each other at all times.
When working with professionals, the degree of formality is slightly different because the people using the services may communicate informally whereas the professionals would respond formally. Key issues with the type of context are that the professionals must take full responsibility for checking their understanding, and remaining calm and polite at all times. When the context is between professionals and people using services the degree of formality is usually formal, the key issues in this context is that professionals must adapt their language for example not using technical terms and or