I want you to think. Think of how many battles with your partner, best friend, or fast food cashier could have been avoided had you both effectively communicated your thoughts and desires. Maybe the fight started because it was about what you chose not to disclose. How many situations have escalated because you weren’t forthcoming with pertinent information, or even your feelings? Many relationships, whether intimate or professional, face unnecessary conflict due to ineffective verbal communication. Ineffective verbal communication can be presented in the forms of suppression, hearing but not listening, and not asking the right questions.
The healthcare industry is no stranger to this issue. Effective communication is imperative to have when speaking to patients and studying medicine. This skill is fundamental in any position when considering the healthcare profession. How we choose to interpret certain situations and words is subjective to each individual, and this can pose a challenge when understanding what is being communicated to you.
So, you may be asking yourself, how do we avoid such a conflict?
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Below, we have listed five tips to avoid those pesky misunderstandings and promote healthy and transparent conversation:
1. Be mindful: In the healthcare field, there are many factors that you have to be aware of when verbally and non-verbally communicating. If you are dealing with a patient of a different culture, faith, or a language barrier, these all can prove to be challenges in communication. From body language to word choice, various backgrounds interpret communication in a number of ways. Make sure when you are talking to a patient with a differing background that you educate yourself on their customs and tailor your approach accordingly. It is so vital to ensure that you are respectful and encouraging, and these differ from culture to culture.
2. Educate yourself: You wouldn’t explain to your kid why “there are so many languages in this world” until you knew the correct answer yourself, right? This same concept applies to educating yourself on patients with differing backgrounds. If you are unaware of their customs or culture, educate yourself. Ignorance is the easiest way to falter in communication, but it is also one of the easiest to remedy. Ask a coworker who may be familiar with the associated culture or language for help. Ask questions when speaking to the patient to gain a better understanding of their perspective.
I’m going to say it. Google is your best friend in instances like these. If you don’t feel comfortable employing either of those tactics, Google is there to save the day. Of course, you should always make sure that the information you are getting from Google is accurate and accredited. But in the event that you find yourself in a pinch, this could be your savior.
3. Consider differing perspectives: Once you have educated yourself on the background of the patient, it is essential to put yourself in their shoes. Work to put yourself in their headspace and reflect on how their differing perspectives could interpret what you might have to say and vice versa. When speaking to that patient, ensure that you listen before you talk and process what they are telling you. This will allow you to consider different meanings behind their responses and will help you to ask the right questions.
4. Listen carefully before you speak: I know, this one seems like common sense. Well, you would honestly be surprised at how many individuals will stop listening once they believe they know what the other person is trying to convey. So, always allow your patients the ability to speak their mind fully before you respond. This is so important not only when being respectful, but when also allowing yourself the time to process what the patient is telling you. Just think about it, you could have avoided that fight with your wife the other day if you would have only listened to her the first time.
5. Ask questions: The dreaded statement you would hear from every school teacher you ever had. As much as we hated to hear it, asking questions was probably the most valuable lesson we could have taken away. So much of verbal miscommunications could be avoided if we just employed this one skill. Asking questions offers clarity, promotes engagement, and shows interest in what the individual who is speaking to you is saying. Be sure also to ask if the person you are engaging with understands you. Sometimes, individuals will go along with a conversation, even if they do not grasp what you are attempting to convey. This occurs because the individual may not want to inconvenience you by asking you to explain yourself further. Just as it is your duty as a healthcare professional to ask questions when you don’t understand, it is even more important to ensure that you are being understood.
A good thing to remember: When speaking, it is imperative that what you are saying is accurate, honest, respectful, and clear. As a healthcare professional or student studying medicine, you understand the various emotions patients and family members feel when they are faced with a medical complication, whether minor or significant. Couple this with complicated medical terminology and an overall lack of understanding of the condition is a recipe for a stressful situation. This is why the four factors listed above are relevant when communicating to anyone of any background. Keeping your messages as accurate, honest, and clear as possible helps with transparency. Maintaining a respectful approach is a given in any situation. Also, try to be encouraging and appropriate with your mannerisms and your speech. These two attributes help you to be more empathetic and flexible with the age groups, backgrounds, and differing patients that you interact with.
Here at CuraConnector, we understand the importance of effective communication, which is why Co-Founders Candace and Nhan Nguyen created the platform. By telling us what your specific needs are, we can match you to the best candidate for those needs. We are passionate about creating successful client-provider relationships that will improve the health care industry in ways that have never been accomplished.
“Most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask, “What else could this mean?” – Shannon L. Alder
What are some tips that you have for effective communication within the healthcare industry? Post your thoughts, feedback, and responses in the comments down below. We look forward to hearing from you!
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