Module 5
Communication
Quality Education for a Healthier Scotland
By the end of this session the participants will be
able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of effective communication
with families in the childsmile programme
• Identify the barriers to effective communication
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Session Outline:
 Presentation
 Group discussions
 Case scenario
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What is your understanding of communication?
Discuss and write down in small groups
large group feedback
Quality Education for a Healthier Scotland
Communication
Verbal communication – relates to what is being said
Para linguistics – relates to how it is said and includes voice tone,
volume, speed of speech
Non verbal communication – relates to gestures, facial
expressions, eye contact, body language and clothes
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Nonverbal communication
•
Various researchers have found that communicating a message relies
less on actual words than you might think:
•
•
•
7% actual words
38% voice cues
55% face cues
Dr Candice Boyd
Lecturer in Psychology
Quality Education for a Healthier Scotland
Communication
Active Listening is a term used to indicate the skills that demonstrate one
is listening and appropriate verbal responses
Paralinguistic and non verbal communication are the more important
features
The acronym SOLER is useful for non verbal demonstration of listening;
Square
Open
Leaning
Eye contact
Relaxed
Quality Education for a Healthier Scotland
Communication
SOLER
Square - for effective demonstration of listening skills the health educator should
face the patient squarely, otherwise he or she might seem uninterested
Open - open body position involves avoiding crossing arms and legs, these are
often interpreted as defensive or shutting down
Leaning - a slight forward lean indicates an eagerness to learn more
Eye Contact - when listening most people maintain good eye contact and this
encourages speakers to continue
Relaxed - a relaxed posture is important, otherwise the communication will seem
artificial
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What are the barriers to effectively
communicating with families in the childsmile
programme?
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Large group feedback
Quality Education for a Healthier Scotland
Communication
Communication Barriers
Social and Cultural Gaps
Limited receptiveness
Negative attitude to the health promoter
Limited understanding and memory;
Lack of credibility; perhaps you set a bad example yourself
Insufficient emphasis by the health promoter
Contradictory messages;
Objectives set too high, parent unable to comply
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Case Scenario /DVD
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Group discussion
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Questions ?
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Recommended Reading
• The behave Study
http://www.standrews.ac.uk/media/sabics/documents/sabicsbehave-executive-summary.pdf
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