The Role of Effective Communication and Interpersonal Interaction in a Health and Social Care Context

P1- Explain the role of effective communication and interpersonal interaction in a health and social care context. Consider what is meant by ‘Effective’, verbal and non-verbal communication along with language and cultural differences. Also include examples of different needs and preferences.

Effective communication is important in a health and social care sector because without it we wouldn’t be able to solve our personal needs and get the attention and help we may require. It is necessary to be able to communicate with other people; because communication is a vital interaction which we use in everyday situations. Without being able to communicate we wouldn’t be able to talk to others and give vital information when needed.

 An example of using good communication is a nurse working with an elderly women. Being a nurse it’s important that you’re able to obtain accurate and clear understanding of ones needs and personal information. You’re able to provide information on that clients problems, symptoms or any concerns they may have. Not communicating correctly can lead to miss-interpretation and miss-understanding of the scenario.

Another example is a therapist. Therapist are used to help people with personal issues. They can be used when a client may feel they are unable to talk to a family member or a friend; however a therapist could also be used if a person is having physical, emotional, social or intellectual issues. A therapist is used to help people feel relaxed but also it enable them to trust and be open with their clients if they need help and support. Also a person should display empathy, open-mindedness and respect when communicating a message. This makes the audience or the other person feel understood, which can lead to more honest and productive conversation. Choosing the right form of communication also enhances its effectiveness.

The last example where effective communication and interaction play an important role in a health and care setting is a social care worker. Being a social care worker having effective communication skills is one the most crucial components of a social workers job. It enables them to gain information from their clients, convey critical information they may need and to help make important decisions. Without having effective communcation, a social worker may find it hard to obtain or convey that informaton they have been given, thereby causing detrimental effects to clients.

One-to-one communication is information that is transferred in one direction only. This is from the sender to the reciever. Unlike the communication cyclle this doesn’t include all the stages and therefore the receiver isnt able to give feedback. An example of one-to-one communcation is John is going out of town on a business trip on the weekend. So he orders his secretary to order some food for when the clients come. He does this by leaving a message on her phone directing her what to do. Furthermore one-to-one communication its important that the other person feels comfortable and relaxed when talking to them. By doing so you can greet them with a good morning or good afternoon or good evening. Once you feel your client is comfortable you can then begin to ask more advanced questions in order to get the right information your looking for.