Communication in Health Social Care Essay

Communication between care workers and service users is essential for promoting and maximising the rights of users of health and social care services. All patients and users of our service should be kept informed about their treatment. They should be able to talk to you or the workers making decisions about their treatment. It is your responsibility to overcome any problems with communication that may arise, not just in giving users information in a format that they can understand, but also in giving them sufficient opportunity to discuss their situation with the relevant people. The expected level of communication may not always be plausible; for example, some patients do not open up easily or may not be in the mood to have a conversation. Try to understand do not force them to talk. If the service user does not have the capacity to participate in decision making about their treatment, or an emergency situation this might signify that urgent treatment is required. The Health and social care sector is a vast sector and it constitutes of different aspect of care to different types of service users. There are many relevant theories which is applicable in the Health and Social care sector. Abraham Maslow defined some of these theories as humanistic, behaviourist, cognitive and psychodynamic. In this report I will be explaining the humanistic theory of communication and its relevance to communication in health and social care. I will also cover its strengths and weaknesses. Humanistic Theory is achieved whereby you approach an individual positively. In health and social care service users are considered to be vulnerable and the way to approach them should be in a well positively way by using humanistic manner, thoughts, actions, love, respect and dignity by providing the relevant care according to the philosophy of care as per legislation. Strengths of Humanistic Theory Person centred Care Worker is non-intrusive Meets service user as equal in process and not expert Does not label service user Follows care value base Unconditional regard, empathy and genuineness required, qualities many care workers already have. Can be applied to many situations Very positive view Focuses on the short term nature of therapy It provides power to individuals by emphasising free will and the ability to change. The therapy provides great insight into what any experiences have meant to the individual. Weaknesses of Humanistic Theory Short term Service user needs good communication skills Difficult to show effectiveness Care worker has to be non-judgmental of all people which can be hard to maintain It does not pay sufficient attention to unconscious thoughts.