Between colleagues
Effective communication between colleagues is very important in a health and social care context. Respect and trust should be shown throughout communication with your colleagues otherwise this can affect the way you speak to others such as service users. Formal communication would usually be used in communicating with colleagues, but sometimes informal may be appropriate. It can be used within meetings or speaking one to one with each other.
Communication is so important within colleagues so it has to be done properly and effectively. It’s important because colleagues need to communicate with each other for such things like passing on vital information.
Communication forms
Text messaging
Text messaging is only an effective way of communicating depending on the relationship between the sender and receiver. For example, you wouldn’t text your boss but you may text a colleague who you have befriended.
An example of where text messaging may be an effective way of communicating is with a social worker and a teenager. They may choose to do this as it’s the preferred way of communicating for teenagers. An example of when it could be used is, ‘What time shall I come see you today?’
Signing
Signing is an effective way of communicating the deaf and hard of hearing. It’s effective because signing is the main way to communicate with the deaf and can sometimes be the only way of communicating with a certain deaf person.
Therefore signing would be used in any setting where needed.
Interpersonal interaction
Slang
Slang can actually be used effectively in a health and social care context. Slang is an informal way of speaking, usually this happens in social situations, but not how you would preferably speak to your boss. However, service users may be more comfortable when you use informal language such as slang. It could make them feel more at ease and more at home around you. Formal language could make service users feel uncomfortable and that you may be looking down at them if they do not understand.
It could be used where chats are being taken place with a service user’s family.
Jargon
Jargon is used by professionals to communicate effectively and easier within their group or profession, this is when it is effective. It probably would not be effective from professional to service user. This would only be used in professional settings such as meetings.
Non-verbal communication
Posture
Your posture can tell people whether you are interested in what they have to say or not. For example, when talking to a service user the best effective way of communicating is to face them and not away from them, sit up and not slouch and leaning forward to show an interest. If a service user is talking to you and your sat back slouching looking around the room, they will know you’re not interested and it will make them uncomfortable.
Facial expression
Facial expressions show what mood you are in. In a working environment you need to leave all your bad moods outside the door and be positive inside, otherwise others will realise you’re not yourself, in a bad mood, etc. and all this will affect them and your work. You have to be professional.
When communicating with professionals and service users it’s important to always look interested and happy.
Communication and language needs and preferences
British Sign Language
This is usually the preferred method of communication for someone who is deaf; it can also be the preferred method of communication for someone who is hard of hearing. Usually british sign language is the only way the deaf can effectively communicate with others so for example., if you have a lot of service users in a residential care home it’s important to have a few members of staff that will be able to communicate with them.
