Computerised method is another ways of communication which is quicker as the messages can be delivered in fraction of the time and cheaper as it doesn’t need to send through post office. Nowadays, most of the people are familiar with surfing internet which helps in the popularity of this method. Being popularity means being effective in exchanging information. Messages or information can be formal or informal. For examples writing mail to friends are informal and writing letters, application etc. are formal.
In health care setting, this method can be used to diagnose online, for the awareness of people about the symptoms and prevention of certain diseases etc. X rays and other screening information can be sent immediately between hospitals which could speed up diagnosis. Reports and appointment can be sent through email which helps in saving time, for fast communication etc. In social care settings, emails, advertisement, care plan, records of visit etc. are the examples of this type of communication. In early years settings, the messages and reports of children can be sent through mail which saves the time of parents. They can interact through it so it helps in building the relationship between service users and service providers. Different programs in computers like power point can be used to teach children about their relating subjects.
Special methods are specially used for those people who have learning disabilities, who doesn’t understand what other people are talking or saying for example early years children, people who cannot see, cannot hear, cannot speak etc. The purpose of this method is to build relationship, exchange information, develop understanding etc.
In health care setting, numbers like 1-10 are used to ask children about their pain where 1 can be the least pain and 10 can be the more pain etc. Braille is made specially for those people who are unable to see by which they can understand the writing by their fingers, senses, etc. Makaton is a very simple language based on a list of simple everyday words, which uses speech, gesture, facial expression, eye contact, body language, signs, symbols and words to aid communication etc. In social care setting, social carer has to come across different people who might have physically or mentally difficulties. In that case they use special method like makaton, Braille etc. which helps them to communicate each other, exchange information and builds relationship. In early care setting, special method are used so that it helps small children to understand what other are saying and it lets them to speak what they need.
Now I’m going to describe the different types of communication used in different care setting in detail.
Oral communication
Oral communication is quick and effective way of communication. The purpose of oral communication is to build relationship, develop mutual understanding between each other and exchange information. The information, messages etc. are received based upon the way we communicate. In care work, the carer has to communicate orally with different people in huge amount throughout the day. They need to speak in daily basic things plus other requirement to improve client’s health. Carer has to calm down service users, show them empathy, ask information, respond to service users question etc. so if the carer is very good communicator them the service user get the satisfactory answer which helps them to increase their courage, self esteem etc. For examples if the service user is pregnant for the first time then it’s obvious to have excitement plus fear and confusion. They might not know what to do and what not to do. So in that case the carer should tell her the right things clearly so that the service user feels secure and safe. But if messages are not clear and not understood by certain barrier then the message might go wrong and can harm service user. So it is important to have a good communication because even a single word can harm service user.
There are two types of oral communication. Formal communication and informal communication. Discussing in meetings, presenting in a case of conference, talking as an advocate for a client etc are the examples of formal and talking to client or client’s family, talking with staff etc. are the examples of informal communication. Some of the things like patient’s mood can’t be written down so it can be said in general talk. Though the communication is formal or informal it depends upon the way we say it whether to be effective or ineffective. Effective formal communication can be correct use of technical words and right level of detail. And effective informal communication can be the use of everyday words to describe complicated information and clarifying issues, talking about secondary social, emotional and intellectual needs as well as primary needs etc. And ineffective communication can be the use of technical jargon, talking down being patronising, talking too quickly and not leaving gaps or space for the client to answer, English might be the second language of service users and might not understand English very well etc. which can be the barrier of understanding.
Though an oral communication is necessary and important while communicating it still have it’s advantage and disadvantage and they are described below.
It’s advantages are-
- Information can be exchanged quickly
- Service provider can use everyday words to describe complicated information.
- We can check the understanding at the same time by looking at their body language, eye contact etc.
- It helps to provide emotional support which encourages them and helps them to increase their self esteem.
And it’s disadvantages are-
- It can be quickly forgotten because we can’t remember exactly what we have been said.
- It is hard to understand because some people might speak quickly, in low tone of voice etc. which prevents understanding.
- Some barriers like using technical jargon, place etc. also prevent clients to understand.
Written communication
Written communication is another important ways of communication. The purpose of written communication is to exchange information, building relationship, keeping records of certain things over a period of time, keep them as an evidence etc. It is a convenient method of communication because it is a permanent and accurate record which can be further used as proof or reference. In care setting, it is used as keeping the medical history by which other service provider can use comments on patient’s health etc. For example if the service user move to other place then they can take their medical history like the medicine they took etc. which helps new service provider to know it and take further step. But it is important to have clear and
The two types of communication are formal and informal. Writing letters, notes to colleagues etc are the examples of informal communication and case notes, assessments, medical records, writing to a service providers etc are the examples of formal communication. Whether the communication is formal or informal it can also be effective or ineffective depending upon the way of communicating. For example leaving a note for staff on different shifts is the examples of effective informal written communication as it helps other staff to know the condition of the patients. And effective formal written communication are the permanent record of the information is on file, states policy & procedures, full history of a client etc but written communication can be ineffective when the files are recorded inaccurately, using technical jargon in clients letter, for those people who can’t read and write English language, rough writing etc.
As a coin has its two sides. Written communication has its advantages and it’s disadvantages.
It’s advantages are-
- It helps to exchange detailed and technical information such as care plans, policies to other service providers etc.
- It is a permanent record because the file, information etc are not forgotten and helps in accurate recording for other service providers.
- The information can be the proof of evidence which can be used in court cases, protects service providers etc. to know what medicine was given and the progress of service user etc.
And it’s disadvantages are-
- It can get lost in post or by poor filing which may result in service user to receive the information and result in delay of individuals’ care.
- Files can be misplaced or lost which can harm in patients health in future,
- It is time consuming because the information should be written down which might be long enough to write it down.
- Due to the lost or misplaced of files, some important or confidential matter can be flashed out which breaks the confidentiality and the trust between service user and service providers.
- It can be impossible to read because of poor handwriting, spelling or presentation etc which can affect service users health.
Computerised communication
Computerised method is another ways of communication which is quicker as the messages can be delivered in fraction of the time and cheaper as it doesn’t need to send through post office. The purpose of this kind of communication is to exchange information quickly, maintain security by password system, build relationship etc. Nowadays, most of the people are familiar with surfing internet which helps in the popularity of this method. Being popularity means being effective in exchanging information. For examples if the information has to be sent urgently, then instead of posting it which takes minimum one whole day it can be sent through email which takes about a second. So it is an fastest method of communication.
Messages or information can be formal or informal. For examples writing mail to friends are informal and writing letters, application etc. are formal. The messages can be effective if an information about client can accessed instantly during an appointment, information can be sent and exchanged between a large group of people, information can be accessed anytime day or night etc. whereas the communication can be ineffective if people are not confident or don’t know how to use computer, if there is not internet connection, technical problems, viruses etc can result in slow or unable access etc.
As other method of communication, it also has its advantages and disadvantages.
It’s advantages are-
- Information can be quickly sent in cheap price.
- It can be safe by using password system.
- Those people who don’t have enough time, feel awkward to go for check up etc can diagnose online which encourage them to improve their health.
- Exchanges information, make an appointment, helps to save time.
- In emergency case, service user’s health problem can be sent to professional service provider who is far away than waiting him to come for it etc.
And it’s disadvantages are-
- Service users and service providers might lack skills to use computer etc
- The information can be leaked out due to hacking problems.
- Due to the viruses, technical problem the information can be erased out or can be delay on check up.
- In such place where there is no internet connection, it is impossible to receive or deliver information.
- It cannot be useful for children, elderly people who don’t have a knowledge to use it or might feel unconscious of using it.
Special method
Special method are specially used for those people who have learning disabilities, who doesn’t understand what other people are talking or saying for example early years children, people who have disability of seeing, who have disability on hearing, disability on speaking etc. The purpose of this method is to build relationship, exchange information, develop understanding etc. In spite of having disability they can communicate through special method which helps them on expressing and telling their feelings. Makaton, Braille etc are the examples of special method.
Makaton is all about using speech, signs and symbols in order to help people with learning disabilities. It is communicated by using hands and body language.
Braille is about using the sense of touch. The written words are raised so that it can be easily felt by fingers. It is specially made for those people with limited vision.
In care work, applying such method plays a vital role as it applies while communicating with all age group. For example if we want to ask a child if he/she would like a drink, we can sign the word drink, asking the question at the same time, raising our eye brows in a questioning look, or alternatively we can show a simple picture and ask the question. These helps child to understand what we are saying.
However, it also has its advantages and disadvantages which are mentioned below.
It’s advantages are-
- It creates a unique bridge which allows service users to have an opportunity to express their feeling and worries by the help of special method like makaton, Braille etc.
- It increases the better understanding of diagnosing the problem in service users.
- It helps to exchanges information to improve care.
And it’s disadvantages are-
- Service users might not get enough care from service providers because it needs the skills to communicate with them.
- It takes a long time to learn so it is difficulty and time consuming.
