Communication refers to a two-way process by which individuals arrive at a mutual understanding through the exchange of information (Nykodym, 1988). It is an important process that allows human beings to interact with one another. According to authors Purcărea and Chichirez (2018), since it is shared between two individuals, it is also referred to as one form of interpersonal interaction. The authors further claim that interpersonal communication is a socialization process that occurs within the context of people’s relationship (Purcărea and Chichirez, 2018). This statement asserts that people’s level of interaction varies depending on the type of relationship these individuals possess. Thus, parents talk with a degree of authority when they communicate with their children, the same way that employers do with their employees. A more relax and free-flowing type of interaction may be observed among friends and peers. Another author established that communication could not be defined as a simple process of exchanging information because of the intricate and cyclical process that facilitates the transfer of messages from one individual to another (Rommetveit & Blakar, 1979). R.M. Blaker provided an essential definition of language, suggesting that it is a means of social power (Rommetveit & Blakar, 1979). People can quickly identify the social role that people assumes in the society depending on the language the individual uses. Given the following description of communication, this paper would establish the relevance of interpersonal communication in the field of healthcare. This paper will emphasize the techniques that facilitate effective interpersonal communication.
Effective Interpersonal Communication
Several components make up the communication process. Depending on the source, there are some who says there are five, seven or nine (Sanchez, 2018). However, common elements include the sender, receiver, message, channel, feedback, encoding and decoding (Nordquist, 2018). When one tries to evaluate the different components of communication, the next thing to consider is the various factors that contribute to effective interpersonal communication. Remember that the goal in conversation is to successfully convey a message and generate feedback based on the delivered information. However, what constitutes to a successful communication process.
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Since the first element in the process is the message. The message has to be clear, and it has to make sense. Merely compounding words together does not constitute a message. A message always has a goal or an objective. Otherwise, there is no point in sharing it with other people. The second component is the sender. The sender is the person who conveys the message. While it helps to have a sender who is also fluent in the language of the receiver, it is not always a must. One of the most common problems in delivering a message is the failure to make the receiver understand because something was lost during the translation. While English is considered the universal language, there are times that other people do not understand English. However, trying to translate English to another language may not always be effective because of the absence of a direct translation. When things like this occur, the message is often distorted, and the expected outcome is compromised. The sender should also refrain from making personal interpretation when delivering a message. It would help if the sender can provide the message in verbatim to prevent misinterpretation. The third component would be the receiver. An essential characteristic of a receiver can listen attentively. The typical problem with most society lays in the failure to listen. Most of the time, people do not pay attention to the speaker that they miss out on important details. Some messages need to be contextualized. The receiver often uses indirect and informal communication in transmitting a signal. For example, a few satires are meant to be taken quite the opposite. Literal interpretation may not always apply. The meaning is often encrypted and embedded in the entire play or the whole story. This is where a listen must learn to contextualize. Listening also requires comprehension. It is not enough that you heard the message.
Most importantly, the receiver must be able to comprehend what they heard. Encountering misunderstanding brought about by miscommunication is typical. Another factor to consider is the fourth component of communication which refers to the channel of communication. In this day and age, there are multiple channels to select from in transferring a message. In the past, the only medium available to people is either face-to-face communication or through snail mails which usually takes days, weeks and even years before the message can reach the receiver. Technology allows for a more efficient, more economical and more convenient ways of sending information. Amongst these include e-mails, chats, social media, text messages, voice calls, and video call. However, these channels may also fail, and messages may still be compromised. For example, messages may be intercepted by the wrong person either intentional or unintentional. The risk of hacking has been one of the most severe problems that confront information and telecommunications companies. Another way by which the channel of communication may fail is again misinterpretations. Whenever people use platforms that do not involve face-to-face interaction, the emotion of the person is very open for interpretation. Software developers and IT experts saw the emoji and emoticons as the best way to resolve the problem. However, instead of help fix the issue, it leads to more significant confusion.
Interpersonal Communication in the Healthcare Profession
One of the most important skills of a healthcare professional is having excellent interpersonal communication skills. This particular skill allows a healthcare provider the ability to render the appropriate care to the patient. The first thing that a healthcare professional must try to establish with the patient is rapport (Maciąg, 2012). This will be the foundation by which the health care practitioner can base all health teachings.
During the first part of healthcare professional-patient interaction, the patient is the sender. Majority of patients only see a medical professional when they are in dire need of treatment. When this happens, the patient will try to explain the signs and symptoms to the doctor. The patient must not withhold any information nor should the patient make up stories to get the doctor’s attention (Maciąg, 2012). Accurately describing the medical condition would help the doctor render the right diagnosis. In this case, the doctor who plays the role of the receiver must be attentive to the patient. Non-verbal cues like a grimace, sign of discomfort and pain must be carefully noted because this can verify the level of pain and discomfort that the patient experiences (Purcărea & Chichirez, 2018). It is also at this point that the doctor must make follow-up questions to confirm whether the doctor’s understanding of what the patient said was correct. Furthermore, the doctor could also use gauges like ranking pain from 1 to 5 to assess the level or degree of the experience (Maciąg, 2012). Doctors should allow the patient to finish the statement first before interrupting the patient if something needs to be clarified. The doctor must not, however, wait a long time should there be anything in the patient’s statement that needs clarification.
Also, healthcare professionals are advised to set aside their personal biases when interacting with patients. Inhibitions and prejudices should not affect the doctor-patient interaction to avoid compromising the integrity of the profession (Purcărea & Chichirez, 2018). Furthermore, by being sensitive to the needs of the patients, the doctor would be able to help the patient with their health issues.
References
Apker, J. (2012). Communication in health organizations . Cambridge, UK: Polity.
Donaldson, E. (1994). Interpersonal Communication. Canadian Journal Of Communication , 19 (2). doi: 10.22230/cjc.1994v19n2a815
Maciąg, A. (2012). Assessment of effectiveness of the interpersonal communication on the doctor–patient level in Poland. International Journal Of Healthcare Management , 5 (2), 85-92. doi: 10.1179/2047971912y.0000000008
Nordquist, R. (2018). Learn the Basic Elements of the Communication Process. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-communication-process-1689767
Nykodym, N. (1988). Organizational Communication Theory: Interpersonal and Non-interpersonal Perspectives. Communications , 14 (2). doi: 10.1515/comm.1988.14.2.7
Purcărea, V., & Chichirez, C. (2018). Interpersonal communication in healthcare. Journal Of Medicine And Life , 11 (2), 119–122.
Rommetveit, R., & Blakar, R. (1979). Studies of language, thought and verbal communication . London [etc.]: Academic Press.
Sanchez, N. (2018). Communication Process. Retrieved from https://web.njit.edu/~lipuma/352comproc/comproc.htm
