When working in the adult social care sector being able to communicate well helps to ensure that you can carry out your role effectively, communicating is essential to develop your understanding of a service user’s needs, so you can provide them with the support they require. Skillful communication enables healthcare providers to establish rapport with their patients, solicit crucial health information, and work effectively with all members of a care team and the public. If the information exchanged is inaccurate or misleading, mistakes can be made which can result in ineffective care and a negative view of the service. Professionals will form many different relationships in their work. Some will be formal and others more informal. Whoever you are communicating with and whatever the method you use it is essential that you make sure your communication is appropriate and effective. This course covers some of the different ways of communication, reasons people communicate, how to identify barriers to communication and how to reduce these, making sure the person you are communicating with understands what you are communicating, how to get help with communication issues, confidentiality and much more.
