Hcs 350 - Personal and Professional Health Care Communication

Personal and Professional Health Care Communication

HCS/350

Personal and Professional Health Care Communication

The discussed material is designed to educate my direct co-workers in the endoscopy department. Health care communication will be defined. The importance and relevance of professional health care communication with other professionals, patients, and clients will be discussed. How the role of effective professional health care communication affects, health outcomes will be explained. The relationship of how some poor health outcomes can be attributed to a lack of effective communication will be reviewed. The theories and principles of therapeutic communication in the health care setting will be elucidated.

Definition of Health Care Communication

Communication involves a combination of verbal and nonverbal ways that are integrated for the sole purpose of sharing information (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). Verbal communication entails the use of words to communicate with others (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). Nonverbal communication provides cues about what is being communicated (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). Some nonverbal cues include silences, utilization of congruent nonverbal behaviors, body language, and touch (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). Health care communication is necessary to provide efficient, quality care for clients (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). Proper health care communication directly affects client outcomes such as the satisfaction of care, improved coping, treatment compliance, decreased levels of anxiety, and safety (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). This communication also has effects on the providers in areas such as; job satisfaction, and reduction of stress levels (Arnold & Boggs, 2011).

Relevancy of Professional Health Care Communication With Others

The delivery of safe, high-quality health care is dependent upon inter-professional communication (Robinson, Gorman, Slimmer, & Yudkowsky, 2010). Such care depends greatly on the ability of health professionals to communicate effectively and efficiently with each other (Robinson, Gorman, Slimmer, & Yudkowsky, 2010). Professional health care communication with other providers, patients, and clients; promotes health, reduces risks, and facilitates a collaborative approach to providing quality care (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). Today, clients are taking an active role in self managing their conditions when it is possible (Arnold & Boggs, 2011). According to Arnold and Boggs (2011), this client-centered approach to health care is a combined effort involving the entire medical team. This type of approach requires effective communication among other health professionals, clients, and their families