Non-verbal communication is the overall body language of a person who is speaking. This includes their body posture, the way someone sits or stands can display how they are feeling or whether they are interested in what they are hearing, their hand gestures can also display how they are feeling, if someone is fidgeting or playing with their hands this can display if they are nervous. The overall movement of the body can also communicate messages to other about that person, if the person is walking slowly with their head down, this could indicate they are sad or tired.
Facial expressions can also play an important part in communicating with others. A person’s face can tell you what mood they are in. Other gestures which communicate emotions could be a hand shake, a hug or a simple smile. Non verbal communication can also be in the form of photographs, sketches and paintings.
One to one communication involve two people, no one else is involved within this conversation. By having this type of conversation it ensures that each person has the other’s attention completely. This can be partially useful when receiving or giving personal care to a service user. This ensures that they completely feel valued and cared for by the other person. But this can be challenging someone who is not use to this type of connection with other people, if for instance they have lived alone for a long time and suddenly have to go into care or hospital because of illness.
It isn’t just service users who need to know they can have one to one conversation, service provider also may need to have confidential conversations with their management if they have issues with others, they need to feel able to go to someone in confidence when needed.
Group communication is important within the health care profession when patients needs have to be discussed with a whole group of health professional. For instance when an elderly patient has been in hospital and is being transfer either to a care home or back to their own home, professional such as doctors, nurses and social workers may need to have a meeting in order to meet the needs of the patient to ensure they can be cared for and receive a good quality of care after they leave the hospital setting.