Information sharing is a core aspect of any organization. The issue is much more intense when it comes to a healthcare organization. Information must be shared with personnel in various department in order for work to flow effectively. In addition to sharing information among workers, healthcare personnel also communicate with other parties such as off-site employees, consultants, and patients. This is the situation in the Oblak Healthcare Center. The healthcare has multiple departments which communicate with each other to offer patients the best possible care. There is communication between managers and the staff, communication among staff members from one or multiple departments, communication with consultants and off-site workers, and the communication with patients. It is important that every worker in the healthcare organization master correct or appropriate communication skills in order to be able to connect positively with others. Ineffective communication techniques in a healthcare setting can be disastrous, considering the critical health situations of some patients. Effective communication strategies, on the other hand, ensure the smooth flow of information and work in the healthcare setting. Modern-day technology presents as a double-edged sword when it comes to communication in the workplace. Its benefits are quite effective, but it may also bring about devastating challenges in the workplace. The paper looks at some of the communication techniques, applies them in a healthcare setting, and also checks the effects of technology on the communication process.
Effective communication techniques for sharing information and ideas
In the healthcare setting, there exist multiple departments which work together to provide services to clients ( Brock et al., 2013) . It is required that each department be appreciative and accord every other department with respect. This is the basis for effective communication between the departments. Knowing that each department equally matters ensures that each staff member addresses his or her coworkers appropriately. Emails and telephones also come in handy regarding information sharing among departments in the healthcare setting. It saves time as employees do not have to run around the workplace. The tone and mode of communicating over the phone and writing emails must also be appropriate ( Arnold & Boggs, 2019) .
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Open meetings can be held within a department or within the entire healthcare. Open meetings can be held regularly to check on operations, welfare, and also to give feedbacks. The head, in each case, gets to communicate with the rest of the team. An open meeting not only provides an opportunity for the head to pass out information but also allows for the team to present more ideas and also provide feedback. Other ideas or observation may be helpful to the department or healthcare in general. Feedbacks provide check on the effectiveness of the leader in passing out his or her information. Communication is two-way, and the people on the receiving end must also be allowed to communicate in order for a proper understanding of what is communicated. It is important that the parties being addressed, attentively listen until the speaker has finished communicating. Other aspects of communication that may enrich information include humor and tone. Applying humor and the appropriate tone ensures that the information is received in a very positive way ( Arnold & Boggs, 2019) .
Dealing with patients also requires effective communication techniques. Honesty, humor, and tone are critical aspects of communication in this area. Staff members in healthcare must create a receptive atmosphere for patients to feel comfortable. Humor allows patients to feel comfortable, which allows them to open up about their problems. An appropriate tone sends the right message to the patient and directs the patients accordingly. Honesty is required in the healthcare workplace, especially when dealing with patients. Every patient must also be treated equally and spoken to professionally ( Weller et al., 2014) .
The communication techniques that proved to be ineffective
Speaking in an indirect format is one of the most ineffective techniques of communication. People who apply this form of communication imagine that others will understand what they intend to say by giving hints. This can be disastrous in a healthcare setting. If the information is passive wrongly, a lot of operation or even lives can be in great jeopardy. Other ineffective modes of communication include lack of clarity, close-mindedness, interrupting, and lack of enthusiasm. An individual must be clear and enthusiastic about what they are saying. An individual must also be aware of other alternatives or opposing sides to what they are presenting. Interrupting others as they speak shows disregard for their ideas.
In the health care work environment
A healthcare organization such as Oblak requires for all its workers to practice and master proper communication skills. Also, all staff members must be aware of some of the ineffective communication strategies or factors that present as obstacles to proper sharing of information. Appreciation and respect for each department and worker will ensure that there is a smooth flow of information. Practicing and acknowledging proper aspects of communication like being humorous and applying the appropriate tone will also enrich communication among all parties in the healthcare ( Arnold & Boggs, 2019) . Such proper communication techniques will create a receptive atmosphere in the healthcare workplace, allow proper and effective flow of information among departments, and make patients comfortable within the healthcare environment.
How technology might affect the communication process
Technology comes in handy where communication is concerned. As aforementioned, emails and telephones are used in the workplace for communication, which makes work much easier and also cuts down on time-wastage. Employees do not have to move around seeking for information. Proper communication skills when speaking on the phone or writing emails allows for smooth passing of information among departments. However, technology also comes with other things such as free internet and games. Employees may find themselves online or busy playing games while work stays undone. Infatuation with the internet and game, among other things, may also cause confusion in the workplace. An employee may disregard other important things, such as the correct mode of communicating with patients and colleagues to create more time for the internet. Technology is therefore good for communication in the workplace, but only if its use is highly regulated. In the healthcare environment, it is highly important that technology is used only for communication and not for personal use or leisure.
References
Arnold, E. C., & Boggs, K. U. (2019). Interpersonal Relationships E-Book: Professional Communication Skills for Nurses . Saunders.
Brock, D., Abu-Rish, E., Chiu, C. R., Hammer, D., Wilson, S., Vorvick, L., ...&Zierler, B. (2013). Interprofessional education in team communication: working together to improve patient safety. BMJ QualSaf , 22 (5), 414-423.
Weller, J., Boyd, M., & Cumin, D. (2014). Teams, tribes,and patient safety: overcoming barriers to effective teamwork in healthcare. Postgraduate medical journal , 90 (1061), 149-154.
