Effective Communication Skills for Health Professionals

Effective communication skills are important in any line of work, but particularly important when dealing with people regarding their health. Whether you are listening to symptoms that may help diagnose a problem, or relaying information that is important to someone's well being, effective communication skills are necessary. You must be able to communicate effectively with coworkers, patients and management alike.

Vocabulary

• The specialized vocabulary of the health care industry includes many terms specific to the field. You must know these medical terms, and be able to explain them effectively to those who do not. If you are giving a diagnosis, for example, give the medical term, and then explain it in layman's terms to the patient.

Listening

• Listening is essential for effective communicating, and especially important in the health care industry. Focus on the person who is talking. Listen without interrupting or giving explanations. Let the person know you are listening with interest by making eye contact and nodding when appropriate. When the person is finished talking, ask questions and paraphrase what they said to be sure you understood correctly. Misunderstandings can be fatal in the health care industry. Take notes while listening in order to document the conversation.

Speaking

• Giving information must be done clearly, as well. Before beginning to speak, make sure your thoughts are organized. Speak directly to the person you are talking to and make eye contact with them. Make sure you cover the key points. Wait for the listener's response to be sure they understood.

Written Communication

• Especially with today's technology, a great amount of communication is done through email. There are also handwritten notes, letters, reports, forms and other documentation. All written material must be created in a way that supports effective and clear communication. Before you begin writing, organize your thoughts and determine the purpose of the communication. Know your audience and write directly to them. Once you have finished writing, always reread and edit the material, making sure you have efficiently communicated the information.