Always remember that communication is an important part of our everyday lives.  In addition, it is a critical component in the heatlhcare profession.  As you communicate remember Homer Simpson's quote "the problem with the world today is communication. Too much communication" (Groening, 2010).  Therefore, it is not so much what you say, but rather how you say it regardless of whether the message is in any of these forms: verbal, non-verbal, or electronic.  Communicating professionally in the 21st century is what makes a lasting impression. 

Reference

Groening, M. (2010). Quotations from the Simpson's. The quote garden. Retrieved from http://www.quotegarden.com/simpsons.html

Within the short video are three tips to effective communication by Peter Murphy.  These common, easy tips summarize how easy it is to be able to improve communication.  I encourage you to play it as often as necessary.

Reference

Murphy, P. (2008). Effective communication skills. Retrieved from http://www.highselfconfidence.com/

If you have not yet taken the communication quiz, I urge you to do so.  Below is a short video on the six common barriers to communication.  Hope you enjoy it.

Reference

Hanke, S. ( 2010, July 7). Stop communicating ineffectively. You Tube. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2upjBWRrfU&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLBD7452A2372FC292



Please go to this link to take the communication style quiz.  Report back in the comment section what strengths and barriers you found in your communcation style. 

http://www.goalminds.com/quiz/RateYou.htm

Reference

Test your communicaion skills. (2012). Goal Minds. Retrived from http://www.goalminds.com/quiz/RateYou.Htm

Check out the comments by Debbie and Ruth as these are wonderful observations about a simple phrase from the recently celebrated holiday.  Communication can be simple or complex.  Debbie pointed out that a phrase can be a simple way to start a communication with a patient.  How do you think these simple phrases can reduce medical errors?  Or do you think there is no correlation?  Before you answer, please read this article on medical errors and poor communication http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/138/6/1292.full I'll see you back here on Saturday, February 18, 2102.

Reference

Murphy, J. G. & Dunn, W. F. (2010). Medical errors and poor communication. Chest, 138(6), 1292-1293. doi: 10.1378/chest.10-2263

Happy Valentine's Day!  It is a phrase which is communicated world wide today.  As you research effective communication this week do you think this phrase is similiar to communication in the healthcare field?  Please explain why or why not.

In the last post I asked what steps we can take as professionals to decrease medical errors from lack of communication.  Judi pointed out that we can listen to the words while watching the body langauge to come to the conclusion of what is being said.  Another way we can evaluate whether our communication is effective is to have the person repeat the instructions, tell us in their own words what is going to happen, and refrain from using the standby question if the person understands.  Some people may acknowledge understanding as they are afraid to answer in the negative or they truly do not understand what is being said.  The website below identifes key concepts a healthcare provider can use to ensure the communication with patients is effective.  Please go to the website and post at least one key concept, then explain why it is considered a critical step in the communication process.  I look forward to your responses by Thursday.

Reference

Patient-Provider Communication Toolkit. (n.d.). Indian health serivce. Retrieved from http://www.ihs.gov/healthcommunications/index.cfm?module=dsp_hc_toolkit