INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AS A

HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

By Amy Lindgren

KEY POINTS The Importance of Interpersonal

communications Communicating with diverse people Important communication skills Non-verbal Communication by Patients Non-verbal Communications by Health

Professionals Emotions in communication Self-Refection

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Needs to be second natureWork towards being an expert

It’s more than friendlinessHelping them be comfortable with you

Listening so you can understand what it is they are sayingThey may not know how to express what is

wrongAsk the right questions to help them

Interacting with patients on a daily basis

COMMUNICATING WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE Some patients need to talk it out while

others don’t Let them talk if they need it Don’t force them to talk if they don’t

Differences in talking with adults, children and elders Each needs to be communicated differently to

understand what is being said to them Differences in cultural and religious

background Understanding the cultural beliefs and religious

beliefs Giving respect where cultural or religious beliefs

over rule medical decisions

IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION SKILLS Listening

The number one skill neededNeed to understand what is being said to

help Pictures and Tapes

Some understand better through pictures and tapes

Body LanguageMaking them comfortable with you to talkBe inviting to them don’t be closed to them

IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION SKILLS Tone of voice

Pleasant and niceNot stern or rude

Attention to the personKeep eye contact with themRespond to them when neededDon’t let yourself be interrupted when they

are talking

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS BY PATIENTS Some signs may be expressed through

non-verbal communications If they are in pain they may show it but

not tell you How willing they are to talk with you

about what is wrong Need to adjust how you talk with them

by the non-verbal signs

NON –VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS BY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Help develop rapport with the patient Always be open in your gestures Keep gestures appropriate to the

conversation Don’t close yourself off from the patient Closed off from the patient can lead

them to not trusting you Don’t turn your back to them when they

are talking Don’t busy yourself with other things

when communicating with the patient

EMOTIONS IN COMMUNICATION Be aware of your emotions Be aware of the patients emotions Being emotional for the patient is alright

to express but keep it in control Don’t be too matter of fact Don’t express anger Turn off emotions when needed Understand the situation and what

emotions need to be and don’t need to be expressed

SELF-REFECTIONWhat I learned through this interview is how much more important interpersonal communication is for my career. It is important to be aware of all ways to communicate. I have learned to be more aware of how I communicate and what I need to work on so that I can communicate effectively with patients. This has helped me understand that it isn’t just about services to the patient but helping them get through the problem that exists. It also made me more aware about non-verbal communication and how important I need to be more observant. Sometimes the only way to understand something is to see it.