health and social
P3-Explain factors that may influence communication and interpersonal interactions in health and social care environments
The effectiveness, or success, of communication and interaction in health and social care settings is influenced by a number of factors. Some of these factors promote interaction and effective communication, while others can limit interaction and be a barrier to effective communication. Care professionals can often overcome ‘barriers’ to effective communication by:
• being aware of possible problems and solutions
• adapting their interaction approach and communication skills to take account of likely ‘barriers’
• making simple modifications to the physical environment of a care setting.
Environmental factors
Communication can be helped/hindered by many factors within the environment we are, some of the essential factors that can hinder communication are:
• Noise
• Setting
• Seating
• Lighting
• Space
• Time
Aspects of the physical environment can affect the quality of communication between people and may even deter individuals from making an effort to communicate with one another in the first place. In particular, the nature of the setting in which communication takes place, noise levels, the arrangement of seating, the quality of lighting, and the amount of available space and time can all impact on the effectiveness of interaction and communication. It is very hard to hear what someone is saying if there is a lot of background noise. It is also very difficult to make sense of other people’s facial expressions if you can’t see their faces properly due to poor lighting. Rooms with awkward seating positions might mean that a group of people cannot see each other comfortably. People sometimes feel uncomfortable if they are trying to communicate with a person who is too close or at a distance. A room that is too hot, stuffy or cold may inhibit communication if it makes people feel tired or stressed. The environment also plays an
The effectiveness, or success, of communication and interaction in health and social care settings is influenced by a number of factors. Some of these factors promote interaction and effective communication, while others can limit interaction and be a barrier to effective communication. Care professionals can often overcome ‘barriers’ to effective communication by:
• being aware of possible problems and solutions
• adapting their interaction approach and communication skills to take account of likely ‘barriers’
• making simple modifications to the physical environment of a care setting.
Environmental factors
Communication can be helped/hindered by many factors within the environment we are, some of the essential factors that can hinder communication are:
• Noise
• Setting
• Seating
• Lighting
• Space
• Time
Aspects of the physical environment can affect the quality of communication between people and may even deter individuals from making an effort to communicate with one another in the first place. In particular, the nature of the setting in which communication takes place, noise levels, the arrangement of seating, the quality of lighting, and the amount of available space and time can all impact on the effectiveness of interaction and communication. It is very hard to hear what someone is saying if there is a lot of background noise. It is also very difficult to make sense of other people’s facial expressions if you can’t see their faces properly due to poor lighting. Rooms with awkward seating positions might mean that a group of people cannot see each other comfortably. People sometimes feel uncomfortable if they are trying to communicate with a person who is too close or at a distance. A room that is too hot, stuffy or cold may inhibit communication if it makes people feel tired or stressed. The environment also plays an