H/615/3824 – Communication for Health and Social Care Assignment Sample

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Introduction

Communication refers to an act of sharing information, feelings and ideas. In the context of Health and Social care, communication plays a significant role in seamlessly coordinate healthcare teams, declines medical errors and enhance patient outcomes. The present report will outline method used to communicate in Health and Social care, principle of effective communication, strengths and weakness of formal & informal communication Assignment help In Uk. In addition, it will explain benefits and hazards of using ICT to communication for organizations and service users.

1.1 Methods used to communicate in Health & Social care

Professionals within the Health and care sector use various methods of communications to exchange ideas, feelings, understand patient’s views, furnish high-quality services and build a strong relationship (McCorry and Mason, 2011)). Some of methods used in H&S is as under:

• Verbal communication: One of the significantly used method in health and social care sector is verbal communication. The method includes use of spoken words to convey ideas, emotion and information (Jiang, Zheng and Lu, 2021). Referring to the method, healthcare professional ask questions to patients about their health and with the help of using words provide them with the treatment plan. In addition, verbal communication also use in H&S between healthcare teams to coordinate. The method consist group discussions, telephone calls and face-to-face conversations
• Non-verbal communication: In Health care setting, the method used to build a rapport and trust between the healthcare professional and patient. The method includes use of facial expression, body language, eye contact, gesture and so more to convey information. The method is useful to furnish feeling of comfort to patient so that they can efficiently express their problems, symptoms, leads to better treatment.
• Written communication: The method consist exchange of information via written words like emails, faxes and letters. In health and care sector, the method used for provide clear information and instructions. It is mainly used to communicate in formal manner within the healthcare professionals, teams, patients and so more. For instance, within the healthcare organization written communication is used for conveying care plan to patients, informing medication records to associating staff as well as maintaining daily reports to communicate.
• Electronic communication method: In era of digitalization, within health care setting, electronic communication method is widely use, It used emails, video calls, text messages and so more to kept informed and communicate with patients, colleague etc (Nguyen et al, 2022). For instance, professionals use the method to communicate patient’s information, health condition to colleague via email. Also, method use to communicate and provide health services to patient of distant location.

1.2 Strengths and weaknesses of formal and informal communication

Formal communication method means exchange of message or information while following set rules, policies, hierarchal structure within the organization. It is featured as use of formal language, predetermined communication channels and following of particular format and tons. On the other hand, informal communication means transmission of ideas, feelings via the unofficial channels. It is more flexible communication method than formal method. In health and social care sector both methods used according to the requirement. There are various strengths and weaknesses of the each method.

Strength of formal communication method:

• Accountability and clarity: One of the main strength of formal communication is clarity and accountability. It includes use of reports, structure, set tone and rules while communicating as a result declines the chances of error (Lee and Ospina, 2022). For instance, the healthcare professional use reports to communicate with the other professional, results in clarity and best outcome.
• Improving professionalism: Another strength of the method includes improving professionalism, the method aids in maintain a standard balance in tone and language, leads to contribute positive work culture and better interaction with patient.

Weakness:

• Time-consuming: One of weakness of oral communication is time-consuming process as it includes drafting of documents, preparing reports, adherence of rules and procedure, result in delay (Formal Communication, 2025).
• Lack of flexibility: Inflexibility of method leads to hinder free-flow of ideas, restrict creativity.

Strength of informal communication

• Build relationship and fast in nature: Informal communication not adhere hierarchal structure as a result it is quick in nature as a result build faster relation with the employee and service user,
• Encourage feedback: The method motivate open and honest feedback as it takes place without any rigid regulations.

Weaknesses:

• Wide spread of rumors: It is significant weakness as informal communication results in generation of rumors, leads to create negative environment (Liff and Wikström, 2021).

1.3 Principles of effective communication

There are different principle of effective communication, used by the speaker and listener to maintain the authenticity and efficiency of the communication. Within the health and social care, the healthcare professional and associated people also adheres the principle of effective communication to ensure clear, meaningful convey and interpretation of message. The principles are as under:

• Concise: The principle of effective communication i.e. concise includes use of brief, clear and to the point message to kept better impact on the listener. Excessive details makes difficult for listener to retain information. The healthcare professional also use concise principles to provide intended message to patient.
• Clarity: The communication should be specific and clear. The professionals use relevant terminology to decline chances of confusion and ambiguities in communication process.
• Completeness: Another principle of completeness define that information should be remain complete including all facts and figures to ensure quality of communication process.
• Consideration: It means that while engaging in communication, speaker should consider the requirement, mood and understanding level of listener and accordingly must communicate.
• Correctness: For effective communication, correctness is significant principle, it means that communication should be correct grammatically and factually. For this crucial for uses appropriate language, double-checking of written document and so more.
• Courtesy: The principle of communication means being respectful and honest to the culture, beliefs and values of the recipient (Furkatovna and Gazanfarovna, 2022). Within the health and social care setting, the healthcare professional should treating and communicates with the patient and family members with respect and kindness to ensure proper disclosure of required information.
• Concrete: Concrete principle of effective communication refers that information must be supported by the facts and figures and real-life examples to provide comprehensive overview of message to listener.

1.4 Potential barriers in communication and way to overcome it

Barriers in communication act as a significant obstacle in efficiently communicate with the person. In health and social care sector, the barriers are as under:

• Language barrier: In care setting, it is one of the biggest barrier, the difference in the language of the patient and doctor leads to make difficult to discuss patient`s symptoms, medical history and furnishing treatment plan in accurate manner (Ocloo et al, 2021). This barrier results in lack of building of rapport and getting better patient outcome.
• Environmental barrier: It means that inappropriate climate and noisy environment is consider as a potential barrier in communication. In context of this, the receiver and sender struggle to communicate properly leads to increase chances of miscommunication.
• Cultural barriers: It occurs due to the difference in cultural background, values, beliefs and norms. For instance, in one culture, one practice treated as a abusive and other it is not.

The above barriers can be overcome as under:

• Use of Interpretation services: In care setting to mitigate language barrier, interpretation service use. It includes translating conversation, speeches of professional in preferred language of patient for better understanding, decline chances of misunderstanding (De Meulder and Haualand, 2021).
• Soundproofing equipments: Noise barrier in communication overcome by implementing soundproof equipments to restrict noise. In addition, cabins of professionals place far away from crowded area, makes easier for healthcare teams, patients to easily and smoothly communicate.
• Active listening: Effective and active listening is a way to significantly overcome cultural barriers. Considering the values, culture and background of different people one can communicate in better manner.

Task 2

2.1 Different methods of oral and written communication in H&S care

Communication takes place in an oral and written manner. Oral communication refers to the process of transferring ideas and information verbally while written communication means exchanging views, ideas and feeling via using written words through emails, letters and so more. The health and social care sector use several different methods of oral and written communication.

Following are the oral communication methods:

• Face-to-face communication: The best method of oral communication used in health and social care sector is face-to-face communication. The professional communicate with the patient and associated staff physically while using verbal and non-verbal cues (Battiston, Blanes i Vidal and Kirchmaier, 2021). It enable the sender as well as receiver to get immediate feedback leads to declines chances of misunderstanding.
• Electronic communication or video conferencing: With the advancement of the technology, video conferencing is becoming the most used oral communication method in health and social care setting. The healthcare professionals use the method to attend the group meetings, treating the patient located at distant location to save time and provide convenience.

Apart from this, along with the oral communication, within health and social care sector written communication is equally important. There are several written communication methods in Health and Social care:

• Email: It most widely used written communication method in H&S setting. Professionals within the sector used this method to communicate with the other professionals in precise and formal manner. It makes communication effective as it prepares in clear, concise manner and address information to the point. The method help in communicate and send updates and reports to the patients.
• Report method: Another significant written communication method is report. In healthcare setting, to communicate detailed information of the patient, their condition, test results and outcome of the treatment, professionals use reports. This leads to ensure that intended message and information received by the listener in correct manner.

2.2 Oral Presentation

Covered in PPT

2.3 written communication

Patient Information

Task 3

3.1 Advantage and potential hazards of using ICT for communication in H&S care practice for organizations

In present era, with the rise of digitalization, use of information communication technology for communication within health and social care practices increase. ICT made useful and possible to store, communicate, share as well as manage the patient`s data more efficiently. In addition, it leads to improve communication within healthcare professionals and patients.

H/615/3824 – Communication for Health and Social Care Assignment Sample

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One of the main benefit of using ICT is enhancing communication within patients and professionals. Using different electronic and other communication methods assists the healthcare teams to communicate quickly and efficiently internally while make use of messaging applications, leads to enhance organization services (Moss, 2015). In addition, ICT tools like health information portals, patient’s portals and so more make easier for the organizations to engage patients with the healthcare providers result in enhancing organization efficiency and services (Sheikh et al, 2021). Further, the another benefit of ICT in healthcare organizations includes improving efficiency of work as well as availability of patients records via the use of Electronic Health Records, it leads to help the organizations to share the information efficiently while minimizing the errors. In addition, accessibility is also a great benefit via Telemedicine, the organizations able to furnish better consultant services to the patients resides in rural and remote areas.

However, the use of ICT to communicate information in health and social care practice leads to create several potential hazards. One of the potential risk is increasing concern for the cyber threats as well as lack of data privacy of the patient. Te organizations while using the ICT tools sensitive and personal information of the patient, leak of information put the healthcare organizations in legal obligations. Also, greater use of ICT declines direct contact with the people and patient that is crucial in healthcare.

3.2 Benefits and hazards of using ICT to communicate information for service users

Information and communications technology (ICT) is explained as infrastructure and components which allow modern computing. When it comes to health and social settings, ICT offers numerous benefits to communicate information to service users. Accessibility: The use of ICT in healthcare makes communication more accessible for patients, particularly who have disabilities. Text-to-speech is technical tool that facilitate visually impaired service users (Haleem et al, 2022). Convenience: ICT allows for immediate communication, irrespective of geographic location. Patients can easily get health related information at their home. Efficiency: Different technical software and tools assist in streamline communication procedure. Automation can give answers quickly to the service user’s common queries. Online documentation: Digital communication helps to keep record without any problem and track interactions which is useful for service users.

However, there are some potential hazards or risks associated with the ICT which need to be addressed. Data privacy issues: It is one of the major risks can be faced by the service users. Virtual communication is vulnerable to data breaches as well as hacking. Sensitive information of patients can be used by illicit people. Cost restrictions: Some technologies are expensive and it is not necessary that all people have technological tools (Mukati et al, 2023). Due to cost issues, some services users could not take benefits of communication tools. Technical faults: Technology can breakdown or fail anytime which can possibly interrupt the communication. Due to technical failure, service users are not able to get important information regarding their health.

3.3 Issues around Data Protection and implementation in H&S care

Data protection is important in health and social care field in order to protect the confidential information of service users. There are several issues around the data protection such as; data breaches, loss of data and ransomware. Data breaches: It is one of the major issues which can adversely impact the patient’s life as well as organisational operations. Due to lack of security, hackers can easily steal the confidential data of patient and can misuse it later (Shahid et al, 2022). Loss of data: Now, many healthcare organisations are transferring data to cloud to make data sharing process more easy. But, when data transfers to cloud, it is difficult to control and stop data loss which increase the issue of data protection. Ransomware: It is kind of malware which encrypts data of service users and then hackers demand pay a ransom to victim.

Organisations needs to overcome the data protection issues at own level so that they can safeguard patient’s sensitive information. Healthcare organisation can apply different measures to secure data. It involves robust security protocols, access control system as well as encryption techniques. These measures or techniques can facilitates in protecting service user records and past and present medical history (Thapa and Camtepe, 2021). It will also help the health and social care settings to protect organisational information. Vulnerability assessment could be beneficial procedure to discover and quantifying weaknesses in hospital’s IT system. Regular update of security system is essential to prevent the data from being distorted or misused by the hackers.

Conclusion

To sum up all, it has been articulated that communication plays a vital role in health and social care. The sector use verbal, non-verbal, written and electronic communication methods. Further, it outline that formal communication method includes strength of clarity and professionalism while informal features for getting immediate feedback. The report highlighted care plan for the depression, explaining medication and therapy and follow up plan. Further, the report evaluated benefits of using ICT to communicate information like convenience and accessibility while risk of cyber threats.

References

Books and Journals

• Battiston, D., Blanes i Vidal, J. and Kirchmaier, T., 2021. Face-to-face communication in organizations. The Review of Economic Studies, 88(2), pp.574-609.
• De Meulder, M. and Haualand, H., 2021. Sign language interpreting services: A quick fix for inclusion?. Translation and Interpreting Studies, 16(1), pp.19-40.
• Furkatovna, S.A. and Gazanfarovna, B.D., 2022. Verbal politeness as a strategy of approach. Journal of Positive School Psychology, pp.1593-1599.
• Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R.P. and Suman, R., 2022. Medical 4.0 technologies for healthcare: Features, capabilities, and applications. Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems, 2, pp.12-30.
• Jiang, J., Zheng, L. and Lu, C., 2021. A hierarchical model for interpersonal verbal communication. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 16(1-2), pp.246-255.
• Lee, S. and Ospina, S.M., 2022. A framework for assessing accountability in collaborative governance: A process-based approach. Perspectives on Public Management and Governance, 5(1), pp.63-75.
• Liff, R. and Wikström, E., 2021. Rumours and gossip demand continuous action by managers in daily working life. Culture and Organization, 27(6), pp.456-475.
• McCorry, L.K and Mason, J. (2011) Communication skills for Healthcare Professionals
• Moss, B. (2015) Communication Skills for Health and Social Care. Sage Publications
• Mukati, N., Namdev, N., Dilip, R., Hemalatha, N., Dhiman, V. and Sahu, B., 2023. Healthcare assistance to COVID-19 patient using internet of things (IoT) enabled technologies. Materials today: proceedings, 80, pp.3777-3781.
• Nguyen, M.H., Gruber, J., Marler, W., Hunsaker, A., Fuchs, J. and Hargittai, E., 2022. Staying connected while physically apart: Digital communication when face-to-face interactions are limited. New Media & Society, 24(9), pp.2046-2067.
• Ocloo, J., Garfield, S., Franklin, B.D. and Dawson, S., 2021. Exploring the theory, barriers and enablers for patient and public involvement across health, social care and patient safety: a systematic review of reviews. Health research policy and systems, 19, pp.1-21.
• Shahid, J., Ahmad, R., Kiani, A.K., Ahmad, T., Saeed, S. and Almuhaideb, A.M., 2022. Data protection and privacy of the internet of healthcare things (IoHTs). Applied Sciences, 12(4), p.1927.
• Sheikh, A., Anderson, M., Albala, S., Casadei, B., Franklin, B.D., Richards, M., Taylor, D., Tibble, H. and Mossialos, E., 2021. Health information technology and digital innovation for national learning health and care systems. The Lancet Digital Health, 3(6), pp.e383-e396.
• Thapa, C. and Camtepe, S., 2021. Precision health data: Requirements, challenges and existing techniques for data security and privacy. Computers in biology and medicine, 129, p.104130.

Online

• Formal Communication. 2025. Online. Available through: < https://www.pockethrms.com/hr-terms/formal-communication/>