COMMUNICATION PROCESS

The communication process is a simple model that demonstrates all the factors that can affect communication. It is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information by speech, signals, writing, or behaviour; either verbal or nonverbal. Communication is effective if the message that is received is the same one that is sent. The Main Components of Communication Process are as follows: 1. Context - Communication is affected by the context in which it takes place. This context may be physical, social, chronological or cultural. Every communication proceeds with context. 2. Sender/ Encoder - Is a person who sends the message. A sender makes use of symbols (words or graphic or visual aids) to convey the message and produce the required response. 3. Message - Is a key idea that the sender wants to communicate. 4. Medium - Is a means used to exchange / transmit the message. The sender must choose an appropriate medium for transmitting the message else the message might not be conveyed to the desired recipients. 5. Recipient/ Decoder - Is a person for whom the message is intended / aimed / targeted. 6. Feedback -Is the main component of communication process as it permits the sender to analyze the efficacy of the message. Barriers: At any point in the communication process a barrier can occur. Barriers keep us from understanding others ideas and thoughts. Barriers can appear at any point of the

communication loop. There are two types of barriersinternal and external which keeps the messages from getting through. Barriers to Communication:

Culture, background, and bias We allow our past experiences to change the meaning of the message. Our culture, background, and bias can be good as they allow us to use our past experiences to understand something new, it is when they change the meaning of the message that they interfere with the communication process. Noise Equipment or environmental noise impedes clear communication. The sender and the receiver must both be able to concentrate on the messages being sent to each other. Ourselves Focusing on ourselves, rather than the other person can lead to confusion and conflict. The Me Generation is out when it comes to effective communication. Some of the factors that cause this are defensiveness (we feel someone is attacking us), superiority (we feel we know more that the other), and ego (we feel we are the center of the activity). Perception If we feel the person is talking too fast, not fluently, does not articulate clearly, etc., we may dismiss the person. Also our preconceived attitudes affect our ability to listen. We listen uncritically to persons of high status and dismiss those of low status. Message Distractions happen when we focus on the facts rather than the idea. Our educational institutions reinforce this with tests and questions. Semantic distractions occur when a word is used differently than you prefer. For example, the word chairman instead of chairperson, may cause you to focus on the word and not the message. Environmental Bright lights, an attractive person, unusual sights, or any other stimulus provides a potential distraction. Smothering We take it for granted that the impulse to send useful information is automatic. Not true! Too often we believe that certain information has no value to others or they are already aware of the facts. Stress People do not see things the same way when under stress. What we see and believe at a given moment is influenced by our psychological frames of references our beliefs, values, knowledge, experiences, and goals.

Types of Communication: a. Self-Action or One-Way Communication It focuses on getting the message to the receiver. Self-action treats communication as a manipulation of others. b. Interaction or Two-Way Communication

 This approach recognizes the role of the receiver as a communicator through feedback. This is a very simplistic view of the communication process. c. Transaction This approach focuses on meaning and sharing by accounting for all other factors in the communication process. This is when the communication process is applied and carried out completely.

Flow of Communication: The directional flow of communications is important because different strategies are required for different segments. The way you communicate with your superior involves considerations which are different from those with a nurse colleague; the same is true with ancillary staff members. All communications can be thought of as falling into one of the three categories: 1. Upward Communication Communication is much more carefully filtered and is often delivered in apologetic and defensive manner. Therefore you must observe caution when communicating upward. 2. Downward Communication Consists mostly of commands in authoritarian terms in delegation of work. Delegating in authoritarian terms may be perceived in a negative manner. 3. Lateral communication Tends to be more consultative or coordinative and are delivered in terms of equality. Their effectiveness depends on the degree of trust and respect within the group. 4. Diagonal Communication Allows individuals with diverse information to participate in in problem solving with people with other levels in the organization. Nursing activities as Communication Processes These Communication activities where nurses commonly engage improves the information exchanged and outcomes achieved during the activity. Change of Shift Communication Actual observation of the patient can assist in focusing in on what the patients needs are and the patients response to the plan of care. By looking critically at what kinds of information are most beneficial, you can make the change of shift report as an integral part of the nursing process. Interviewing as Communication Process Interviewing is purposeful communication. It focuses on a specific subject and is one of the most structured communication experience. Because it is so planned, the information gathered would be accurate.

Computer Communication Computers enable the nurse to handle an increasing volume of information in forms that can be readily applied to practical patient care or management problems. The challenge is clear. Nurses will need to acquire new skills to communicate successfully in the near future. Confidential Communication Nurses walk a delicate line between what is appropriate to communicate and what is not, and they often face the danger of divulging confidential information to the wrong person. They are challenged for disclosing personal information they learned about the patient during the provision of care. Always remember, the patients right comes first, and the patient can expect that only necessary information will be shared. Communication through Touch Nurses needs to be sensitive to the messages they transmit by touching the patient. The same principles of communication apply. Like other forms, whether touch is experienced positively or negatively depends on how the patient ascribes to it. Documentation as a form of Communication One of the most frequently used forms of nursing communication, validates the care you deliver, offers a means of communicating care between health care providers and creates a permanent record of that care. Clear, concise documentation of patient assessment and responses to nursing interventions eventually leads to improved communications in the medical record. Nurse-Physician Communication Because nurses provide complex care for acutely ill patients, there is no room for errors that can result from poor communication. Considerable attention has been given to nurse-physician relationships, and there seems to be an agreement that there is room for improvement. Nurse-Patient Communication This interaction represents the most significant part of nursing and is actually a form of continuous communications between nurse and patients. Effective communications are synonymous with effective nurse-patient interactions.