Health and Social Care

Understand effective communication and interpersonal interaction in a health and social care context.

Effective communication is defined as verbal speech or other methods relaying information that gets the point across. An example of effective communication is when you talk to someone in clear and simple terms. An effective conversation can also mean a conversation in which something is achieved. Effective communication in the health and social care sector is vitally important as it allows the care workers to perform their role effectively, allowing them to work alongside their colleagues whilst supporting service users who come from different backgrounds/ religions and cultures. People who have communication disabilities might struggle communicating effectively with health care professionals and this may have an impact on their health.

This is why communication is vital in the health and social care sector because colleagues who take over your shift and care for one of your patients need to know what has or hasn’t been done as if something is done twice it can cause problems. It is essential especially when dealing with patients for example, giving them medication or bathing them for hygiene reasons. Especially, if the patient has dementia, amnesia or any other memory loss problems.

Good communication skills are the success to relationships for example a service user and a carer, either through verbal or non-verbal communication. Verbal communication is verbally speaking to communicate to other people using words or noises to get your message across to the person you are speaking to. Non-verbal communication is a form of interpersonal interaction by using sign language, simple hand movements and body language such as facial gestures and eye contact.  Speaking clearly is essential, especially when talking to service users who may have difficulties when receiving or giving messages. Speaking clearly allows instructions to be absorbed and understood if hearing or learning difficulties are involved then some service users can lip read or use hand gestures to gain further understanding.