Communication Skills for Healthcare Professionals

Communication Skills for Healthcare Professionals This manual is designed to develop, enhance and fulfill the communication skill level and knowledge base of all professionals working in the healthcare field. The rationale for offering this manual is largely based on an established need resulting from over a decade of research concentrated in Health Communication. Our healthcare system is faced with many challenges, including the need to improve communication on all levels. Hopefully, this will help to ensure patient compliance and patient satisfaction. Thus, the demands of patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare support organizations require greater clarification of perceptions, values and policies. Healthcare is a multi-billion dollar industry that directly impacts the life of every individual at one time or another. The ability or inability of healthcare professionals to effectively communicate can have a profound affect on both patient participation and treatment outcomes. Health Communication is a rapidly growing field of study, receiving recognition from a wide spectrum of educational environments, including professional and technical medical schools, health centered academic programs and communication related programs. This manual provides a total approach to understanding the dynamics of communication skills required by the healthcare professional. Communication Skills for Healthcare Professionals provides a scholarly perspective side-by-side with a practical approach to enhancing communication skills. Anyone involved with attending to a healthcare patient, participating in a meeting or giving a presentation will gain valuable insight into understanding how to support and create a more friendly and informative environment within the healthcare industry. Many issues involving the delivery of healthcare are deeply rooted in communication theories, including value clarification, constructive language usage, image shaping, policy development, bedside manner, verbal skill, effective message delivery and diversity awareness. Key features of this manual include its content, structure and approach. The communication skills provided in this manual will actualize the learning process and teach readers both what to do and how to actually do it. It is not only a guide, but offers a sound and coherent insight into the scholarly essence of communication theory as a support mechanism for understanding the thought and philosophical research behind the techniques readers will learn. Examples, testimonies, interviews, strategies, glossaries, actualized exercises, and teaching suggestions provide a sound and essential apparatus for the fulfillment of Communication Skills for Health Professionals. The importance of effective communication within the healthcare system should not be taken lightly. It is extremely important and should be a part of every curriculum whether professional or technical. Communication may take the form of verbal, non-verbal, or written. In any form, communication is essential to enhancing our healthcare system and thus supporting our goal of achieving excellence in the outcomes of our patients. We sincerely hope that there the impact of this manual inspires you to enhance your communication with both your patients and your colleagues. Designed and Illustrated by Angela Powell. Editorial assistance, Robin Trojanowicz. A must have for the healthcare professional or communication specialist working in the area of healthcare.