Module 2: Communication Styles

communication in OT is…

essential for interactions with patients, caregivers, and colleagues

what are challenges of communication?

balancing communication styles

verbal, non-verbal, written (ensuring its matching what you’re conveying)

simplifying medical jargon

communication is important for building…

rapport and trust

what are things to do when you are actively listening?

paraphrase what you hear

validate client’s concerns- even if you may not believe them

avoid interruptions

use non-verbals to show you’re listening

what are things to be aware of regarding nonverbal communication?

body language

cultural awareness- some things are not allowed in certain cultures and its important to have awareness on those things

eye contact

how does one have clarity and conciseness when communicating?

deliver messages in a straightforward way

avoid extraneous information

how can you show and receive respect when communicating?

proofreading written communication- if you document poorly, others on the care team may doubt you abilities

demonstrat active listening

what are the different communication styles?

analytical

intuitive

functional

personal

what are analytical communicators?

people who focus on facts and logics

when working with someone with is an analytical communicator it is important to…

stick to the essential communications and show them the numbers

this is an example of what kind of communication/communicator style?

“research shows that this exercise can improve mobility by 30% in six weeks.”

analytical

what are the positives of being or working with an analytical communicator?

having an unemotional view allows them to think logically and focus on the facts

people often come to these individuals for their expertise

what are some negatives of being or working with an analytical communicator?

they may come across cold, unemotional, or uncaring

what are intuitive communicators?

people who focus on the big picture or end goal, and dislike steps

what are important things to do when communicating with a intuitive communicator?

keep instructions quick and to the point

use visuals

take their ideas seriously- they can give you ideas and be great assets to the collaborative relationship important in client centered care

what are the positives of being or working with a intuitive communicator?

communication is short and to the point as they don’t get caught up in the details

they can foresee challenges

what are the negatives of being or working with a intuitive communicator?

they’re impulsive, impatient, and hyper focused on getting to the next step or end goal

what are functional communicators?

people who are detailed oriented and take things step by step

when working with a functional communicator be prepared to…

map out the entire process

be prepared to answer questions

encourage documentation and invite feedback

this is an example of what kind of communication/communicator style?:

“our goal is to get you back to gardening, here is a quick plan to start.”

intuitive

this is an example of what kind of communication/communicator style?:

“ first we will work on arm strength for two weeks, then grip exercises for four weeks.”

functional

what are the positives of being or working with a functional communicator?

high attention to detail

they will take the situation step by step and often find loopholes and find out how to fix them

what are the negatives of being or working with a functional communicator?

sometimes having too much detail can leads to people feeling lost in all the information

what are personal communicators?

people who are emotionally driven and value relationships

what are things you may do when working with a personal communicator?

use visual collaboration

be transparent- they can often pick up when they are being gaslit, so they will lose trust in you

leverage their positivity

what communication/communicator style is this an example of?:

“i know this has been a tough journey for you, let’s work together to make your daily activities more manageable.”

personal

what are positives of being or working with a personal communicator?

they have the ability to connects with others and often foster deep relationships

they frequently are the ‘glue’ that keeps a teem or group together

what are negatives of being or working with a personal communicator?

they can come across as overly emotionally

they may struggle with balancing being emotional and professional

what are 3 important things when adapting you communication style?

assess the communication style of the person you’re talking with

tailor your approach

be flexible and mindful in your approach

what are ‘common pitfalls’?

misunderstandings communication styles

assuming a patient understands technical terms

what are some solutions of pitfalls?

use visuals and examples

encourage questions for clarity

what should you do if you are asked a question that you do not have the answer to?

be honest- let the patient you are unsure but you will look into their question

what are practical tips for communication?

show active listening

avoid medical jargon

use analogies to explain difficult concepts

keep communication authentic and relatable

your ability to communicate clearly and effectively will…

leave a meaningful and lasting impression on your clients, caregivers, and colleagues

true communication involves not only conveying a message but…

also connecting with the values, emotions, and experiences of those you are addressing