Written communication
Some people find it difficult to talk face to face with people so written communication is much easier for them to communicate as they still get their message across. The purposes of written communication is give and receive information, build relationships between people and keep a record of information. Written communication is permanent and accurate which can be used as reference later on. In care settings, written communication is used to keep the medical record so that other care workers or service users can use to comment on the patients health or anything they need to add on. For example if the patient was transferred to another hospital then the other hospitals will use the same medical record to understand the patient’s problem. There are 2 other types of communication within it-formal and informal. Writing letters to friends is an example of informal communication as it uses slang whereas if you were to write it to a head teacher then it is a sign of disrespect but medical records are more formal. Written communication has advantages such as: they can be edited any time, if someone is deaf or can’t speak then they can read from the paper, it is permanent record which helps other service users to use it, it can be used as proof of what medicine was given the patient,
it also has some disadvantages such as:
it can get lost through the post, if the wrong information was written accidently then the patients care will go wrong as well, Too long to write, Relationships such as trust and confidential situations between service users and service providers will break if records got lost, Poor writing can lead to poor reading.
Computerized communication
Computerized communication is when information is passed using computer by emails, social networks, faxing, text messaging. Computerized communication offers a range of facilities that allow people to communicate. Computerized communication is faster and cheaper as it doesn’t go through the post stage. The purpose of computerized communication is to give and receive information faster, maintain security by putting a password which builds relationships between service users and service providers. Most people surf the internet so it makes it easier. The more people use the internet, the more information passes on. For example if someone wanted to send important information straight way then they don’t have to post it which takes a day or two they can just email it which takes about a minute or less. Computerized communication can be also formal and informal for example writing a mail to your friends is informal and applying for a job is formal. Computerized communication has advantages such as passwords which don’t allow anyone to hack into your account. Another advantage of is that it is saved on to the computer and you can always access to from anywhere. For example if you do work at school, college or university then you can access it from home. Information can be sent faster and cheaper. It also has disadvantages such as you can lose your work. For example if you saved your work on to the computer and then your computer broke down then you lose your work. You might get viruses which can wipe out the information. Another disadvantage is that while emailing or talking to your friends your computer might freeze. Internet connection might cause problems. Service users or providers might not know how to use it.
Oral communication
Oral communication is also fast and the purpose of oral communication is to be social and build relationship between each other and pass on information to one another. In care settings, the carer has to communicate orally with different types of people. If the carer speaks to the service users nicely and calmly then it will build their confidence and relationship and if the service user has any problems or questions then you have to reply to them to not let them think you are ignoring them. If the carer has good oral communication then it increases their confidence, courage and their self-esteem. For example if their was a pregnant women for the first time then she would feel a bit strange so then the carer has to make her feel safe but if the wrong message if passed on then it can harm the women. Good communication is important because sometimes something which we don’t find offence some people do. Example of formal communication is talking in a meeting and example of informal communication is talking to a staff. For example a doctor speaking to the patient. The advantages of oral communication are that it is fast and easier. The body language and facial expression encourages them and increases their confidence. The disadvantages are that it can be forgotten which can give the wrong information passed on. Some people might speak low or it is hard to understand which again leads to wrong information being passed on.
Special method communication
This type of communication is used for those that have learning disabilities such as hearing or is blind or disabled. The purpose of special method communication is to build relationships, pass on information and increase their understanding through special methods such as makaton and Braille which are examples of special methods. Makaton is the use of body language such as using signs and symbols to get the opposite person to understand whereas Braille is about the sense of touch. Special methods relates to health care settings such as using sign language for those that are deaf. The advantages of it are that it increases the understanding and the wrong information is not passed on. The disadvantages are it needs skilled service providers which can be found less and it takes a while to learn as it is hard.
