Developing Effective
Communication in Health and
Social Care
Theories of communication
One–to–one communication
• This involves the two-way process in which
each person tries to understand the viewpoint
of the other person.
• Good one-to-one communication involves the
process of checking understanding, using
reflective or active listening.
Michael Argyle (1972)
• Skill that had to be learned that is like
driving a car.
• Like driving a car you have to change
your method to match the road
conditions.
• Involves a constant cycle of watching
what is happening then adapting to it.
Argyle (1972)
Communication Cycle
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Ideas occur
Message encoded
Message coded
Message Sent
Message Received
Message Decoded
Idea understood
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCmH
ia-nTpA
Group communication
• Groups are collections of people who
come together because they have a
common purpose or goal and who
gradually develop a shared sense of
belonging or group identity.
Types of Groups
• Primary groups
Face to face situations in which group
members know each other
• Secondary groups
Widely distributed membership. Many
group members who may never meet
each other.
Types of groups in H & S care
settings
• Report or handover meetings between care team
members
• Case conferences and discharge planning meetings
• Support meetings for team members to share
experiences and offer support.
• Therapeutic groups.
• Meetings with management staff, service users and
relatives.
• Educational Groups and classes.
Tuckmans theory of group
formation (1965)
Homework
1.Describe how the communication cycle works.
2.Name two main forms of communication.
3.What are the two things that people have to do during verbal
communication?
4.Describe two ways that care workers might use their verbal
communication skills in a care setting.
5.Identify three different examples of non-verbal
communication.
6.Describe how an individual with communication problems
might use technological or human aids to communicate with
others.
7.Identify the two main contexts of communication in health and
social care settings.