Communication in Health and Social Care Organization - Coursework Example

Communication in Health and Social Care Organization (BTEC) Level 4 Introduction Communication is the most crucial and vital tool in any organization to facilitate easier interaction between individuals. In a healthcare organization, communication is of essence to healthcare professionals because it aids with the interaction with patients and ensures that the patients receive the best medical care available. In most cases, health professionals who have not yet acquired efficient communication skills are not in the position to offer the best medical care to their patients. Communication that is effective entails more than merely talking as it entails gestures, body language, facial expressions, appearances and positioning. In most instances, where there is ineffective communication in healthcare organizations, the repercussions are most likely experienced by the patients (Julie, 76-295). The likelihood of miscommunication has resulted in cases of misdiagnosis, negligence and inappropriate care towards patients. It is a sad factor that in most instances the death of patients is as a result of ineffective communication between the medical professionals and the patients in the health and social care organizations. An example of a recent report that has enlightened many individuals is the Mid-Staffordshire Trust Hospital [Francis Report 2013] that illustrates the negligent cases of medical professionals, lack of interpersonal skills and the mistrust between patients and the medics. The purpose of this essay is to critically analyse the effectiveness of communication in health and social care organizations. 1.1 Application of Relevant Theories of Communication to Health and Social Care Contexts There are many different theories of communication that are relevant to the health and social care contexts. One of the theories that will be focused in this essay is the humanistic theory of communication. This theory was developed in the light of many medical professionals being sued for misconduct and inefficiency of communication skills towards their patients. The human relations and knowledge based on communication was one of the intended purposes of developing the humanistic theory. The theory seeks to improve the interpersonal communication that exists between clients and nurses, colleagues and peers (Julie, 76-295). This theory can aid medical professionals improve their interpersonal skills, listening skills, self-disclosure and trust with the patients. It is an effective theory that aids in the the development of effective communication skills. In reference to the hospital scenario, it is evident that Anna’s doctor did not possess the humanistic theory of communication as he did not listen to what his patient had to say in order to offer proper diagnosis. In the YouTube video, it was unjustified that just a routine operation turned chaotic and fatal as there was ineffective communication between the doctors in charge as they were incubating a patient. Another good example of a theory that will develop and improve the communication skills in health and social care organizations is the Bandura’s (1976) social learning theory. This theory proves that observation is an effective tool in improving the communication skills in organizations that directly deals with the wellbeing of clients. In the hospital scenario, it is evident that the doctor –patient communication was ineffective. The existence of interpersonal skills was lacking in the doctor as he was ignorant to the fact that the patient was not drunk, but rather suffering from a stroke. The remedy to such a doctor is by the use of this theory which entails observing other doctors that possess communication skills with their patients and vigorous learning on how to deal with different life threatening cases in health and social care organizations. 1.2 Use Communication Skills in Health and Social Care context Communication skills are one of the most vital things that a health care profession needs to possess so as to ensure effective and efficient patient care. It is a fact that communication skills are not naturally acquired to all, and so it is of essence that health care professionals strategize ways in which they can be able to polish up their communication skills to avoid cases of negligence and misconduct with patients (Julie, 76-295). Some of the techniques that are of essence in communication skills are listening, writing and nonverbal communication. In reference to the hospital scenario, it is evident that there is lack of communication skills between the doctor and Anna’s husband. This is because the doctor is not keen to listen to the actual diagnosis of the patient and inefficiency of being in a position to evaluate nonverbal communication. It is clear that the doctor requires active listening and acceptance of the open-style of questioning as stipulated in the strategies of communication skills. In the You tube scenario, just a routine operation turned fatal because the experienced doctors were not in a position to actively listen to each other. The acclamation by one nurse that the patient is turning blue due to the failed attempts of intubation does not appeal to the experienced practitioners who are egoistic and not in a position of accepting the challenge from their minors. The medical practioners should have taken the time to listen to each other so as to come to a common conclusion that would have been in the best interest of the patient. 1.3 Methods of Dealing with Inappropriate Communication between Individuals in Health and Social Care Setting. It is a fact that inappropriate communication skills are in existence in health and social care settings (Julie, 76-295). It is of essence that these inappropriate barriers of communication needs be dealt with to minimize the rising number of cases that are directly related to inefficiency in communication skills. In the hospital scenario, there was misinterpretation of the information that Anna’s husband was trying to relay to the doctor. The doctor used inappropriate language to describe the state of the patient, not taking into consideration the ethics required in this situation. The doctor should have listened carefully to the symptoms that the patient presented so as rule out all the possible ailments. In the YouTube scenario, just a routine operation ended up in the death of the patient. The experienced doctors who were mostly male doctors showed male dominance in this situation by not paying attention to the recommendations by the nurses who were keenly observing the progress of the patient. 1.4 Analysis of the use of strategies to support users of health and social care services with specific communication needs As seen from the above context there is need for analytical strategies that will support users of health and social care services with specific communication needs. One of the most effective strategies that can be used is the use of alternative languages like using braille and signing. In the hospital scenario, this could have been an effective tool because Anna had lost the ability to communicate effectively. One of the strategies that could have been used to support her is the use of alternative language to express what she was feeling. The alternative process of communication would have benefited her because the doctor could have easily been able to detect the root of the problem from the nonverbal communication. As seen from the above context, communication is one of the most effective tools in the health and social care organizations, and proper measures should be taken to ensure that communication skills between health care professionals and patients is efficient and effective ( Julie,76-295). Works Cited Apker, Julie. Communication in Health Organizations. Cambridge [etc.: Polity, 2012. Print. Read More