Observation Of Communication Skills

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Effective communication is of great importance among healthcare professionals as this essential tool applies everywhere in the healthcare system and allows for high quality and safe delivery of patient care (VQC 2010). Services that are provided to patients by practitioners require them to have proficient skills in communicating in a varied number of styles and through different mediums (e.g verbal, non-verbal and written). They need to continue to develop their communication skills and be able to successfully interact with patients in order to meet requirements and outcomes (Higgs et al. 2005). This report will explore the observation of communication skills of a female radiographer interacting with an elderly female patient whilst conducting …show more content…
When she would touch the patient it was done appropriately and briefly, while maintain good eye contact and the patient’s cooperation showed a collaborative partnership which empowered the elderly woman to actively participate (O’Toole 2008). The patient was well looked after and received all the non-verbal cues in a positive way and did not feel uncomfortable with the radiographer. Overall the professional had successfully implemented theories in a practical manner using different elements of non-verbal communication (Schiavo 2007).

Another aspect of communication is the verbal component between people. This medium again has a variety of elements that affect how well you communicate. Particularly with the healthcare setting, elements such as; instructions and directions, questions, comments, general social exchanges and use of tone come into play when dealing with a patient (Schiavo 2007). In theory combining the aspect of mutual understanding and collaborative relationship it provides a therapeutic relationship between the radiographer and patient which was clearly observed throughout the examination (O’Toole
…show more content…
Even using simple words like ‘hug the board’ which worked well with the patient. The practitioner maintained a cheerful and gentle tone at all times, getting the patient to be calm and relaxed throughout the examination. The patient was in control and had a positive emotional response when interacting with the radiographer who had been able to successfully communicate with the patient verbally and complete the examination.

Conclusion
Communication is an essential tool that professional healthcare practitioners should have and continue to develop as it can affect the quality of care and delivery of safety that one provides for the patient. The scenario that was observed and recorded was a good example of effective communication that had both the patient and radiographer engaged and interacting with each other in a positive manner. The different modes (verbal and non-verbal) of communication that can influence it were applied and allowed for a successfully examination with the patient’s needs in mind at all

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