HCS 350
October 25, 2013
Health Care Communication The purpose of this paper is to inform family caregivers on how to enhance communication in health care. Health care communication is the written, verbal, and nonverbal correspondence between all persons involved in patient care, to include the patient. Furthermore, this correspondence should be about patient issues, not health care personnel. This paper will inform on the importance and relevancy of communication, the role of effective professional communication, an explanation of theories and principles, and the effects of ineffective communication within health care. Family caregivers are a part of the health care team and should be involved in communication; …show more content…
Relevant information is not limited to that of the patient; it may also include the background and history of family members. The family’s religious beliefs and rituals should be conveyed to health care personnel if they are not formally questioned. In addition, the goals and expectations of family members should be clearly communicated within the health care team. Family members that will be providing care to the patient should communicate any personal needs they believe they may need to help accomplish set goals. When these issues are communicated effectively, goals will be practical and more easily attainable (Arnold, Boggs …show more content…
Family caregivers and family members provide valuable information about the patient and issue. Furthermore, goals will be more easily obtained with family input because family members may have better understanding of what tasks are practical. When family members are communicating the health care team, the information should be relevant to the patient’s situation. Additionally, this information should be clear, concise, complete, and correct. When family caregivers are communicating with the patient they can employ therapeutic communication techniques. Moreover, employing these techniques will help in resolving issues that of concern to the patient. Effective communication will benefit a positive patient outcome; conversely, if there is a lack of or ineffective communication within the health care team, a patient’s health outcome may be adversely affected. Therefore, all members of the health care team should strive to improve their communication techniques; this includes interpersonal and patient