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

This week there have been some great comments about communication and need for instant access.  Judi also had a good point about generational communications and expectations.  Each generation has certain expectations, methods, and styles in communication.  Yet as a group of professionals we are required to communicate effectively.   Did you know that the leading cause of medical errors are due to lack of communication (O'Daniel & Rosenstein, 2008)?  What are some of the steps we can take as professionals to decrease medical errors from lack of communication?  I look forward to your viewpoint by Sunday, February 12, 2012.

Reference

O'Daniel, M., & Rosenstein, A. H. (2008). Professional communication and team collaboration. In R. G. Hughes (Ed.). Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses, (pp. 1-14).  Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Perceptions of Communication

Thank you for your replies.  I really enjoyed the feedback and insight.  One thing about communication is that it is dependent upon at least two people sharing information.  As a sender of information, I had technical difficulties and could not communicate via electronic means in the blog.  What message can the receiver conclude when the receiver is expecting an answer?  Are we a society which expects instant feedback and comes to an erroneous conclusion without further exploration?  I am looking forward to your thoughts and insight.

Teaching is more than just talking.  It is communicating through various methods to share knowledge, inspire new ideas, be inquisitive, or to provide direction.  Over the next few weeks, we will explore Professional Communication in the 21st Century.

Please share your thoughts regarding the following quote from the Simpson's  "the problem with the world today is communication.  Too much communication" (Groening, 2010).

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