There are many different types of communication, such as verbal, graphical and technology. In this piece of work I am going to assess what they are used for and when they would be used effectively. I am going to give information on six different types of communication and examples of how, where and when they could be used best in a health and social care setting. 1. Verbal
There are two types of verbal communication the first is one to one communication and the second is group communication. One to one verbal communication is between two people using words to talk to each other, this could be in an interview, involving many different types of skills such as good concentration skills, high quality listening skills, first – class communication skills and excellent interacting skills. A suitable environment is also needed, so they could talk in a private room for a quiet background with placed chairs opposite each other so they will be facing one another. They may be talking about confidential information so the interviewee may feel more comfortable and safe, they may feel like they have gained more trust plus they may also feel in such way that they can show much more reaction as there are only two people. Group communication is between 3 or more individuals.
To uphold an effective group interaction you should maintain high-level eye contact skills to show active listening. Furthermore, active listening shows paraphrasing and repetition of words to seek clarity. Good communication skills are also required for a group conversation; engaging in the conversation shows it. Good listening skills are shown by turn taking so you will not talk over each other, this also shows mutual respect. They should also position themselves to face each other. If this is in a meeting there might be a group leader to set the agenda and to control the group. The group leader needs to have good communication, listening and talking skills. They need to be confident in their role and position, motivated, enthusiastic and encouraging. They also need to show respect for everyone in the group. 2. Sign Language
Sign language is a system of communication using visual gestures and signs. It conveys meaning using manual communication and a serious of sound patterns. Sign language is where you use your hands to form letters of the alphabet to communicate with deaf people, as they cannot hear. Sign language could be used in schools for children with special needs. It is effective because it helps deaf people to communicate with people who are not deaf and it helps those who cannot talk to communicate with those who can talk. It is important because in an emergency you may need to give or receive information to and from a deaf person or someone who cannot talk. The communication cycle helps people who cannot talk to send messages and it also helps deaf people to receive and decode messages. 3.Braille
Braille is a form of written language especially for blind people. The characters in Braille are represented by patterns of raised dots, felt by the fingertips, it is based on touch. A man named Richard Braille invented Braille in 1829. People who are blind or have low vision use Braille. Braille allows these people the opportunity to independent reading. Blind people read Braille, for example if a blind individual wants to buy some medicine from the supermarket, they need to make sure that they have picked up the correct medicine. This shows the importance of Braille because medicine is a very serious substance and if they have taken the wrong one, they could be at risk, therefore, it is very important that they have Braille so they can read the instructions and so they will know when they can read the instructions to the medicine and take the correct amounts.
This communication is used by people who are blind and low in vision, it allows them the opportunity to independent reading writing and reading with dots that can be felt by their finger, it is all based on touch. An example of Braille being used in the health and social sector would be a blind person maybe reading a letter in Braille sent from hospital concerning their health; they’d have to feel the dots to understand what has been written. Another example could be if a blind person was reading a letter sent by the hospital regarding their health, they would have to feel the raised dots to understand what has been written. 4.Graphical (Using signs and symbols)
A picture is a visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on either a piece of paper or a screen. Pictures and symbols can be used to communicate with deaf people, people who cannot speak the same language as you and also elderly people with amnesia. A symbol is something that represents or stands for something else, usually by convention or association. Pictures and symbols are important for many different reasons such as, if you need to communicate with someone who does not speak the same language as you, you can show him or her a picture. It is effective because it is easily understood better than in word of another language. Pictures could also be used to communicate with people who cannot speak at all, it is an alternate way of communicating. 5.Technology
Many technological aids help us o communicate such as smart phones, these allow for you to communicate to people via Bluetooth, sending text messages, calling and video calling people, emailing them and many other ways. Mobile phones allow you to either verbally or non – verbally communicate with other people. Email is when messages are distributed by electronic means via a network from one computer/phone/tablet user to one or more recipients; it is effective as it gets received almost immediately. Email can be used for work means for example to send a document/ file to a client or a member.
A manager could also use it to send all the staff the dates and time of their next meeting; this shows how important it is. Another method is by skype. Skype is to have a spoken conversation with someone over the Internet using the software application Skype, also viewing him or her by webcam. Hearing aids for people with hearing impairments is a way of communicating with the help of technology. Audiologists for patients who have a hearing loss often prescribe hearing aids. They enable people to make the most of their hearing aids and manage their hearing loss effectively. This helps them to receive and de code messages through using the communication cycle. 6.Body Language
Body language is a non-verbal method of communication by showing and expressing feelings. There are various ways that body language can be used in a health and social care setting for example Egan’s ‘SOLER’ Communication Theory, Soler is a reminder of all the important non verbal ways possible to show that you are positively engaging in a conversion out of your own interest. ‘SOLER’ is sitting straight on to show that you are paying attention, involved and concerned and not by slouching down and showing that you are bored. Open posture shows that the patient is free to ask you any questions and could gain trust in you because if you fold your arms across your chest it is a closed posture and the patient may feel uncomfortable asking you for any guidance due to your pos
ture. Leaning slightly in shows that you are interested in your patient’s problems. E stands for Eye contact, which is important as it shows that you are paying attention and it could also help the patient build trust by you showing reassurance therefore, it is essential that effective eye contact is provided. Maintaining a relatively relaxed posture is also important so that the patient does not feel intimidated by you. Touch is a type of body language as you are touching some one, it could be used for blind people, if a doctor is comforting a patient and also if you are comforting some one you may pat them on their arm or something similar. Facial expressions are also a type of body language. It is a gesture expressed with facial muscles. It could be used to express your feeling to someone who is deaf and would not be able to find out from your change in tone of voice. Effective eye contact is an essential part of body language because it tells you quite a lot about the person. If a patient is not giving eye contact and is mostly looking away it can show that they may be feeling shy, nervous or anxious.
However, looking away could also show boredom, tiredness and rudeness. If a patient is angry, shocked or upset they may stare at the carer. For example, if a nurse is saying some bad news to a patient she will need to show eye contact to show sympathy, understanding and support to the patient. In an occasion where a nurse is breaking sad news she could lightly tap the patient to show reassurance, comfort and support. There are many different types of communication that are used for different reasons. They can be used at different times to communicate with different types of people. All these forms of communication are important in a health and social care setting and to ensure effectiveness, they should all be used carefully. They can all be used in different situations in different health and social care field careers. Carers meet the patient’s needs when these forms of communication have been used correctly, also enabling the best care and treatment possible for the patients by the carers.