Health care roles in communication

Health Care Roles in Communication

Introduction

Communication is one of the most constant things in this world . By definition , communication refers to any act by which an individual conveys or receives from another individual any kind of information (e .g . needs , desires , knowledge , perceptions . It may be intentional or unintentional may involve signals that either be conventional or unconventional may be made through linguistic or non-linguistic forms and may happen through spoken or any other modes (American Speech-Languange-Hearing Association , 1992

On the other hand , health communication may be defined as the

art and technique of giving information , influencing and motivating a person , an institution or general public regarding significant health issues . It may cover the prevention of diseases , promotion of health , health care policy , the business of health care and the improvement of quality of life and health of people within society (Ratzan , 1994 . It likewise connects the spheres of communication and health , thus being recognized as a very important element in the improvement of personal and public health (National Cancer Institute , 1989 . It was nicely said that if information is the lifeblood of healthcare , it is communication that serves as the heart that pumps it (Supporting communication in healthcare , 2005

The following are the components of health communication according to Richard Thomas (2006

Context or environment - This is where communication occurs . This includes the physical context (the place where the communication happens , social context (refers to the element /s that influence communication . e .g . group of friends , work colleagues...