Communication Strategies

About the Authors

Dr. Carolyn Mikanowicz, RN, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Health Professions Department and Program Director for the Master in Health and Human Services at Youngstown State University. She is a registered nurse and family planning nurse practitioner registered in Pennsylvania.

Shelda L. Shank, RN, BSN, PHN completed her Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing and received her public health certificate at Azusa Pacific University. She is a member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) and an academic member of the American Botanical Council. She is the Nurse Supervisor of the Instructional Systems Development section of the National Center of Continuing Education. In this capacity, she is responsible for directing the activities of this department, selecting qualified, credentialed authors for the courses offered by the National Center as well as advising staff of required course design and criteria. Ms. Shank has over 15 years of extensive experience in publishing courses in continuing education for health care professionals with the National Center.

Purpose and Goals

The goal of this course is to provide health care professionals with a comprehensive overview of communication strategies that will assist in their daily work and personal environments. Various types and models of communication are discussed as well as practical strategies for improving interpersonal relationships.

Instructional Objectives

1. Define communication and list the basic types of human communication.

2. List the various models of communication.

3. Enumerate the variables that influence communication.

4. Name sources of conflict between healthcare professionals.

5. List components and strategies involved in professional-professional relationships.

6. Define personal power.

7. Outline the role that gender plays in styles of communication.

8. Compare and contrast different techniques of communication.

9. Differentiate between verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.

Introduction

The word communication is derived from the Latin "communico', from "communis" or the word "common". It means to share, to impart, to take part in, to join, to unite or to connect. Communication, therefore, is a special process seen as a dynamic social interaction involving exchange of ideas between two or more people. It is also to express feelings and probably the most significant of all human behaviors. It is said that all behavior is communication and all communication affects behavior.

Communication is a system of operations that includes language, gestures or symbols to convey intended meaning and sharing of experience. Communication is the process of creating meaning between people.

Communication is the foundation of all interpersonal relationships and our daily lives are filled with one communication experience after another. The purpose is twofold: the giving and receiving of information; and the making of contact between people. If there is no communication there can be no relationship, therefore some will say that communication is not only a behavior, it is the relationship.

Therapeutic communication utilized in the healthcare professions is facilitative in nature, focusing on a specific goal. The message conveys a presenting problem, learning of more effective coping mechanisms and the development of ego-strengths. The core of this is meaningful reaction of the nurse.

Clients use communication to share their ideas and feelings, express thoughts and convey their life stories to co-construct new meanings. Through the contact between health professional and client, new meanings (stories) are co-constructed and clients learn more effective ways of communicating with others. Through communication, we reach some understanding of each other, learn to like, influence and trust each other, begin and terminate relationships, and learn more about ourselves and how others perceive us.