Effective communication and writing skills are necessary in enhancing quality delivery of services in the healthcare institutions. The healthcare providers are expected to have effective communication and writing skills to foster good interaction with customers (Ball, 2001). Additionally, good communication will minimize common errors witnessed in healthcare facilities. There are some fundamental writing skills that a healthcare provider is required to have. The first element is that of the central idea. Healthcare provider should state clearly at the beginning the main theme/idea. This ensures that another medical practitioner will comprehend the intended information and take necessary measures. Secondly, the skill of organizing of information is necessary. After diagnosing a patient, for instance, the healthcare provider will obtain much information (Ball, 2001). It is necessary to ensure that such information is well organization. It can for instance have the medical history, current situation, and the recommendation. Such organization of information minimizes ambiguity and confusion over the exact the medical condition of the patient. Good writing skills are also fostered by the best choice of words and phrases. Trained healthcare providers ought to ensure that they use the correct diction in describing a particular condition. The choice of words will eliminate the inconsistencies in communication and also make the communication brief and precise.
The electronic communication has become common in the healthcare facilities. One of the main aims of using the electronic communication strategies is to minimize the cost, increase efficiency and effectiveness of communication, and be able to interact will as much customers as possible. The e-mail, live chats, and social media (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) are of the forms of electronic communication in healthcare. One of the advantages of the electronic media is its convenience and easy to use. For instance, an e-mail can be copied to several people by just adding their addresses. The process is faster and easier compared to other forms of non-electronic communication. Secondly, electronic communication is fast. The message almost instantly reaches the target audience. This is imperative as it enhances a quicker response and actions. Thirdly, electronic communication is less costly compared to other forms of communication. In the social media and sending mails, one only needs access to internet. With the price of the internet plummeting, the electronic communication becomes cost-effective. However, the electronic communication has some risks/disadvantages that may hamper communication. Firstly, the personal contact is limited. The face-to-face communication, especially between the patient and healthcare provider is perceived to be one of the most effective (Kittler & Harris, 2004). Electronic communication hinders the nonverbal communication which is another source of vital information. Secondly, electronic communication may be unreliable, especially where some infrastructures, such as computers and internet are needed. Patients without access to such equipment will not be able to communicate. Finally, the electronic communication might be affected by the system breakdown and hacking. In such conditions, the communication may be hampered. With the increased cyber-security issues, if the system is hacked, the private information will be disseminated to unauthorized persons (Liederman & Morefield, 2003).
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Safeguarding the privacy of clients’ information in the healthcare facilities is important. As aforementioned, the electronic communication may compromise client’s privacy due to cyber-security issues. To foster privacy, the development of an effective policy on safeguarding the client’s information should be developed. All the medical practitioners ought to adhere to such guidelines and be ready to face the law for infringement on clients’ right to privacy. With the electronic communication, cyber-security measures are necessary. Also, the hardcopies ought to be accessible to only authorized personnel.
References
Ball, J. (2001). E-health: Transforming the physician/patient relationship. International Journal of Medical Informatics 61: 1–10.
Kittler, A. & Harris C. (2004). Primary care physician attitudes towards using a secure web based portal designed to facilitate electronic communication with patients. Informatics in Primary Care 12: 129–138, 2004.
Liederman, E. & Morefield, C. (2003). Web messaging: A new tool for patient-physician communication. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 10: 260–270
