Ch.11 Communication

Communication

The act of sharing a message, thought, or idea so that it is accurately received and understood.

Sender

The person who initiates communication and organizes the message.

Message

The content that is communicated; it should be clear, structured, and concise.

Receiver

The person who receives and interprets the message and provides feedback for clarity.

Feedback

The response from the receiver to ensure understanding, allowing for adjustments to the message if needed.

Active Listening

An active process requiring focus and full engagement, including techniques like maintaining eye contact.

Verbal Communication

Speaking face-to-face, over the phone, or via video calls.

Non-Verbal Communication

Communication through body language, facial expressions, and gestures.

Passive Communication

A communication style that avoids expressing opinions or concerns, often leading to frustration.

Aggressive Communication

A communication style that is overbearing and dominating, causing conflicts.

Assertive Communication

A communication style that clearly and confidently expresses thoughts while respecting others.

SBAR

A standardized communication framework in healthcare that stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

Cultural Competence

The ability to interact effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Body Language

Nonverbal communication expressed through gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

Technical Writing

A type of writing used in the workplace to inform or persuade a specific audience.

Health Literacy

The ability to find, understand, and use basic health information effectively.

Observation Skills

Skills used to observe patient conditions, classified into objective signs and subjective symptoms.

Evidence-based Writing

Writing that should be supported by research, data, and credible sources.

Emotional Barriers

Factors such as anxiety or depression that can hinder effective communication.

Signs vs. Symptoms

Signs are objective observations that can be measured, while symptoms are subjective reports from the patient.

Cognitive Barriers

Mental health issues or cognitive impairments that hinder understanding or expressing communication.

Demonstrations and Visual Aids

Tools used to reinforce understanding, such as drawings or charts.

Patient Interviews

Conversations designed to gather detailed responses from patients.

Telephone Triage

A method to assess medical urgency during telephone communication.

Documentation

The process of recording patient conditions and healthcare interactions accurately.

business letters

Formal letters written to people outside one’s healthcare facility

clear writing

avoids wordiness and is clear

correspondence

written communication

memorandums

short, informal messages between people.

objective writing

Written work that draws a conclusion from the facts and makes no assumptions.

Precise Writing

Written work that uses concrete rather than figurative language and is as specific as possible to avoid confusion.

Proposals

Documents that propose or suggest something

Recommendation Reports

Documents that provide a way to meet a need in the workplace.

Scientific Communication

The practice of sharing scientific information clearly and effectively among researchers, stakeholders, and the public.

Target Audience

A specific group of people for whom a technical document is written

Technical Reading

A skill used to comprehend science, business, or technology publications

Technical Writing

A type of writing used in the workplace to inform or persuade a specific audience.