Use and Development of Systems That Promote Communication - Assignment Example

Review the range of groups and individuals whose communication needs must be addressed in own job role

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Communication is crucial in my job role. As a healthcare assistant, it affects my workplace in many ways. I must be able to communicate with patients and their families, colleagues, senior works, doctors, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists and other professional workers, etc. There are different methods to communicate such as telephone, email, body language, written or verbal, etc. This promotes strong working relationships and will promote good quality care for the service user. In my role, it is important that I communicate correctly to ensure that the needs of the service user are understood and dealt with correctly. When I work with other staff or nurses, I have to report about the patient's changes to the team. Sometimes I have to run the bay with few patients, at that time I may get the chance to up to date the information about the in-patients and new admissions in the computer and giving handing over to other staffs.

Communication variations depend on the patient's needs. For example, I work with Dementia patients. It is a progressive disorder affects their memory, speech, understanding, concentration, and motivation. Individuals who have lost their hearing and sight may need more support with communication. Non- verbal communication, sign language, all other postures may use to communicate effectively with those people.

Explain how to support effective communication within own job role

Good communication gives a positive relationship with patients and enables one to get the best outcome from the patient and the family by understanding their needs. I use various methods of communication within my role. During my job, I have to communicate with colleagues, matron, doctors, physios, etc. I may need to report on issues of patients which include cares, mobility, any changes I have seen, any behavioural changes, changes in physiological measurements, etc. which helps to plan on the work with patients.

Analysing the barriers and challenges to communication within my job role

Some psychological or physiological barriers affect communication. For example, tiredness, health issues or personal issues can also cause difficultly in communication. Language barriers will affect communication especially working with different cultures and people. Misunderstandings are common in this.

For example, a staff speaks a different language in front of the patient and if a patient cannot understand the staff talking they may feel upset or angry. It affects the quality of care and teamwork. Respecting each other and their needs is essential.

Use different means of communication to meet different needs

I use mostly verbal communication in the workplace, rarely I use non-verbal communication, for example, sign language, pictorial methods, written form, etc. staffs from different countries speak different languages, sometimes the patient cannot understand the tone of their language. This could affect the patient's care. To provide quality care, staffs should speak clearly and use dignity with the patients. If a patient with a learning disability cannot express their needs, we may need to use sign or pictorial languages to communicate with them. It helps to understand them and to give proper care.

Monitor the effectiveness of communication systems and practices

Communication will aid to build a good connection between staff and to transfer information with patients and family effectively. Staff can use formal communication clearly among each other especially during handing over to the staff. Working with English speaking staffs makes it very beneficial to learn a new language. Appraisal with staff will improve to understand their weakness will look up and foster them to study more. Board rounds, handing over, training a new staff also assists in communicating effectively. The staff meeting is a communication method; the staff can say their needs and ideas to everybody. Answering phone calls, email or texts to doctors or other professionals also a useful communication in my workplace.

Evaluate the effectiveness of existing communication systems and practice

One to one or face to face communication is most efficient for the staff who feel shy or do not want to speak in front of others. I think that face to face is more good as people can see their expression directly than communicating through email or text. Sometimes supervision with seniors will help to observe staff and to correct their lapses and helps to induce their skills. I will make sure that I communicate with patient suitably and getting information correctly mainly with vulnerable adult patients during my care.

Propose improvements to the communication system and practices to address any shortcomings.

Communication is very key method during my care especially when I deal with patients. I feel that hand over sheet is the most effective one to pass the message to each staff. The team meeting will help to expand knowledge of everyone, to realize the future changes and update the messages or what care needs to meet. Also, staff can state their needs or any changes they can assume in the ward.

Lead the implementation of revised communication systems and practice

I feel comfortable to use face to face communication with my colleagues, matron or senior staff. I have the right to use email or text, verbally through the phone with staff or senior members to pass information.

Use communication systems to promote partnership working

Using telephone is the most effective communication. E-mail is good for general information and for conveying complex or lengthy information. I used a wide range of communication methods like telephone, email or face to face for passing data. It promotes a better relationship between patients, families, and colleagues. People use social media like Facebook or twitter to share information or pictures. I use face to face communication to speak to physiotherapists if I have a concern about my patient's mobility. Working together with excellent communication promotes good quality care and receive best outcomes.

Compare the effectiveness of different forms of communication

Various communication methods have varying effectiveness. I use face to face communication in my workplace with colleagues, patients, doctors and other professionals which is the most effective one. Phone conversation sometimes may chance to misunderstood, forgotten or breaking conversation because of low battery or losing Wi-Fi connection. Email is good but it's not a quick method of communication. Facebook or Twitter is also a tool of communication, but these may break the relationship, confidential information or trust values.

Propose improvements to communication systems for partnership working

I believe that nowadays hospitals have improved a lot with communication. They made lots of way for communication for each staff. For example, personal e-mail id, Facebook or twitter for NHS staff, the code number for seniors, meetings will help to share ideas or problems.

Explain legal and ethical tensions between maintaining confidentiality and sharing information.

Each member of staff has got a responsibility to keep confidential information safely. When sharing this information, staffs are breaking trust values. For example, some patients are admitting with safeguarding issues this should be a confidential, staffs are not allowed to discuss that information to other colleagues or patients unless it is acceptable.

Analyse the essential features of information sharing agreements.

As a healthcare assistant, I have the responsibility to disclose the patient's information to protect from public interest. Information can be shared if it is acceptable or allowed from matron or seniors. For example, some of the patient's conditions can be discussed with other family members. Face to face conversation is agreed, but phone conversation is not acceptable especially confidential matters.

Demonstrate use of information management systems that meet legal, ethical requirements

As a healthcare assistant, I have the responsibility to keep sensitive information safely. We use the separate bin to put all confidential papers. Computers need to log out after use otherwise other staffs will access into it. When I answer any calls, I have to make sure that I am speaking to the right person before I pass any private information.