Communication is a fundamental component of relationship building and knowledge transfer that involves more than talking and listening. Communicative interactions involve the process of comprehension and shared meaning through spoken language; written word; visual aids (eg, graphs, charts, pictures); and nonverbal cues (eg, gestures, body language, tone of voice). These exchanges often might be seen as soft skills because they are not easily quantifiable compared with profits, losses, grades, and scores. Effective communication is essential to patient interactions with health care professionals. When individuals communicate effectively, an exchange of thoughts, ideas, knowledge, and information occur where the message is received and understood by the sender and receiver. This type of communication can help health care providers record a thorough patient history, explain procedures simply and accurately, and establish an overall superior patient experience. Poor communication can lead to misinformation between individuals, increased patient anxiety, and an overall lack of confidence in the health care professional. Teaching popular soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and interpersonal interactions can be difficult. Nevertheless, these skills are essential for long-term success in the health care profession.
展开▼
