Unit 1 Health And Social Care Communication Analysis

Communication
Communication in a health and social care setting is important to improve a persons life and meet their needs. Communication between clients and carers form a bond so that the client can begin to trust the carer. Communication is also important for other reasons. Clients can tell carers how they feel, and inform them of any problems they are having. This communication usually occurs when the bond is already formed with the client and the carer. Communication helps the carer gain important information from a client such as their background information etc. It also helps the carer to understand the cleints needs better, and with this communication the clients needs can be respected.
In a Health and Social Care setting, there are things that may inhibit communication,. For example, if a client has a hearing difficulty this could cause a barrier to communication. Physical factors which help communication are;
Speaking Clearly
Good Body Language
Good eye contact
Giving attention
Physical factors which inhibit communication are;
Mumbling
Lack of understanding
Using slang
Avoiding eye contact

Barriers to communication
Things around us, and things that we do, can affect the ability to communicate with other people.
The environment can play a big part to communication. If a carer is talking to a client and they are in a noicy, busy environment, they will not be able to communicate properly.
Body Language; If a carer is sat talking to a client with their arms and legs crossed, they would appear to look uninterested because they are giving off signals that they don’t want to talk. A carer should show they are interested in communicating by leaning forward and having an open posture.
Communication would also be affected if a carer did not make any eye contact. Eye contact helps to show that you are listening and understanding what the other person is saying.
Also, if a carer is leaning forward too much whilst taking to a client, they may be invading their personal space which could make the client feel awkward and insecure and inhibit communication.
Client
confidentiality.
Confidentiality is a right and it is used in the care value basis. The Data Protection Act protects a clients confidential details, and is used as a law in the care profession. In a care setting you are told of a clients details and are to ensure that these are kept confidential. If these details are not kept confidential, it could put the client in danger and leave them at risk of discrimination. The more information shared about a client, the more they are at risk of discrimination. For example, a client who Is hiv positive, might be discriminated against if this information is shared with anyone else. Some information may have to be shared with a carer if it will put the client in danger., eg if a client told a carer that they were going to nijure themselves or that they were being abused in some way. In this case, it would be in the clients best interests that the confidentiality would be broken. Information about a client is often passed onto other organisations such as social services, but the client must always be informed of this.
Confidentiality forms trust between a client and a carer, and helps to develop a trusting relationship. It also helps the client to “open up” to the carer without the worry that the details are going to be shared or passed onto anyone else. This also helps the client to say how they really feel and tell them any problems that they might be experiencing. Confidentialty also helps to prevent discrimination and exploitation. People that are using health and social care services are vulnerable-communication would be used to develop a relationship so that the client can begin to trust the carer.