Communications Essay
Aim
This report aims to describe how relevant theories of communication can be applied to different health and social care settings. It will also cover how the communication process is influenced by values and cultural factors, the range of communication skills used to interact with service users and techniques and strategies that could be used to support service users with specific communication needs.
How relevant theories of communication can be applied to different health and social care settings.
Communication can be described as ‘the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior’ (medical dictionary, 2013). It is very important to have good communication with the staff, residents and their families and there are many different approaches that we could take to make a good communication relationship with them. The approaches that are most successful are the humanistic, behavioural, cognitive and psychoanalytical. These theories can be applied to different health care settings.
The humanistic approach (Carl Rogers,1961) can be applied to settings where the individual can achieve more self-esteem, self-respect, self-belief and to promote independence and sense of achievement. Rodgers developed identified ‘three conditions of genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard as fundamental to effective communication’ (Walsh et al, 2000. Pg. 23). This theory encourages individuals to recognise their own capabilities and to solve their own problems. This is to be done without giving any advice and without being judgmental.
The behavioural approach (Skinner et al, 1920-1950) is about our behaviour and that it is learned. ‘When born our mind is 'tabula rasa' (a blank slate).’ (simplypsychology.org, 2007). Our behaviour can also be unlearned by using reinforcement. Skinner discovered operant conditioning, which is basically that when behaviour is rewarded it will be repeated, or reinforced. Pavlov discovered
This report aims to describe how relevant theories of communication can be applied to different health and social care settings. It will also cover how the communication process is influenced by values and cultural factors, the range of communication skills used to interact with service users and techniques and strategies that could be used to support service users with specific communication needs.
How relevant theories of communication can be applied to different health and social care settings.
Communication can be described as ‘the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior’ (medical dictionary, 2013). It is very important to have good communication with the staff, residents and their families and there are many different approaches that we could take to make a good communication relationship with them. The approaches that are most successful are the humanistic, behavioural, cognitive and psychoanalytical. These theories can be applied to different health care settings.
The humanistic approach (Carl Rogers,1961) can be applied to settings where the individual can achieve more self-esteem, self-respect, self-belief and to promote independence and sense of achievement. Rodgers developed identified ‘three conditions of genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard as fundamental to effective communication’ (Walsh et al, 2000. Pg. 23). This theory encourages individuals to recognise their own capabilities and to solve their own problems. This is to be done without giving any advice and without being judgmental.
The behavioural approach (Skinner et al, 1920-1950) is about our behaviour and that it is learned. ‘When born our mind is 'tabula rasa' (a blank slate).’ (simplypsychology.org, 2007). Our behaviour can also be unlearned by using reinforcement. Skinner discovered operant conditioning, which is basically that when behaviour is rewarded it will be repeated, or reinforced. Pavlov discovered