Spatial Zones, Body Language and Facial Expressions - Essay Example

Some cultures, for example, Spanish and Arab, have a high tolerance for close proximity in conversations while others, such as British or American, prefer a greater distance. In clinical practice, there are variations caused by this kind of national difference, which is learned in childhood and largely unconscious in daily life. There are also variations caused by demographic factors such as social class, age, religion, gender, etc. which can influence how comfortable a patient is with various types of treatment. Some patients find any kind of touch experience intrusive because they preserve a large zone of personal space around them, (Hall, 1990, pp113-115) in which they feel secure. Other patients may be lonely or fearful and may welcome a reassuring touch on the hand or treatment which involves massage or other therapy.

A practitioner needs to be able to understand these issues so that he or she can respond in the way that best matches the patient’s natural expectations. Smiles and eye contact are always a good introductory strategy because these are reassuring in almost all contexts. Many patients interpret intense eye contact as threatening, however, and so seat positioning at a slight angle and at an appropriate distance can help to create a comfortable environment for a consultation. In a hospital situation, patients are often lying down and wearing nighttime clothing, which may make them feel vulnerable and ill at ease. A  good bedside manner could involve gestures like sitting down, so that conversation can be held eye to eye, indicating a more equal and non-threatening situation for the patient.

Practitioners who can read and decode a wide range of expressions, and who can respond in similar ways, so far as this is compatible with a professional demeanor, have a better chance of being accepted by the patient and building an atmosphere of mutual trust. Adopting an interesting listening expression can encourage patients to speak about their symptoms, and expressing sympathy through nodding and solemn expression when there is bad news to convey are means which most practitioners instinctively use. A balance needs to be struck between friendly and professional communication, and much of this is done by tone and expression, giving extra force to verbal communication. Patients are likely to co-operate more when they feel at ease and can understand the emotional as well as factual content of a meeting, and so being able to judge appropriate facial expressions and spatial zones is a useful tool in achieving this aim. Being able to adhere to the comfort zones that patients prefer can prevent unnecessary barriers and hostility from forming, and this is an essential skill in clinical practice.