Introduction
The Joint Commission determined that the underlying cause of 66 percent of the sentinel events that occurred between 1995 and 2005 was inadequate communication. If the commission and other organizations had prioritized effective communication more, most of these events could have been avoided. As a result, businesses ought to focus on the aspects that constitute efficient communication and how they may set up reliable communication systems in the workplace. The process of sending or spreading information from the source to the recipient via a specific medium clear to both sides is what it mean when people talk about communication. Increased patient and worker satisfaction can be achieved through improved communication, which also helps boost productivity and foster an environment favorable to innovation. Therefore, this essay will examine the workplace’s level of collaboration and communication.
Components Necessary for Effective Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication refers to the process of conveying information from one person to another, either vocally or by non-verbal behavior. Using efficient interpersonal communication tactics by nurses contributes to the promotion of wellness, the reduction of stress, and an overall improvement in the quality of life (Shakhman et al., 2020). The communication process is dependent on several components, all of which contribute to the efficient conveyance of information that can be acted upon. The sender, the message, the medium, the recipient, and the feedback are the components that make up this communication. The communication process can be hampered when one or more of these components is missing, which can ultimately lead to a breakdown in communication.
The person in possession of the information that needs to be transmitted is referred to as the sender in the communication process. The sender is the first person in every communication exchange; as the sender is the person who starts the conversation, they have a responsibility to be open and honest about the information they wish to convey (Shakhman et al., 2020). Encoding is an essential component of the process of communication, which entails transforming the ideas and thoughts of the sender into a message that can be transmitted. The sender is responsible for converting information into a message through symbols, such as words, gestures, and languages meant to convey their ideas and thoughts.
The information can be sent from the sender to the receiver due to the communication medium or channel between the two parties. After the message has been encoded, the sender is responsible for determining the method of transmission most effectively delivering it to the intended recipient. The telephone and various written forms, such as letters, reports, and memoranda, are examples of the common types of transmission channels (Shakhman et al., 2020). The efficiency of the chosen medium can vary depending on the qualities of the communication that is intended to take place. The urgency of the message, the importance of the message, the type of receiver, and the continuity of the communication are some elements that go into making a message. Therefore, picking a proper channel is an essential factor in playing a role in boosting the receiver’s ability to comprehend the message.
Following the receiver’s selection of the suitable channel and the beginning of the message’s transmission, the receiver will start the decoding process. The receiver is responsible for giving meaning to the symbols sent to them by the sender by interpreting them and translating the message into terms relevant to their own experiences. The connection between the sender and the encoding process is analogous to the one between the receiver and the decoding process. When the recipient appropriately interprets the message and understands the meaning meant for them, there is successful communication (Shakhman et al., 2020). How the message’s recipient reacts to the information conveyed is an example of feedback, an essential part of communication. Feedback lets the sender confirm whether or not the message was accurately interpreted and the degree to which the communication was successful.
The Importance of Interprofessional Collaboration
Interprofessional collaboration entails bringing together healthcare professionals from various specialties and patients, families, and other community members to provide better patient care. According to the WHO, interprofessional collaboration is when a team of health professionals from several specialties works together with patients, their families, caregivers, and other community members to provide high-quality treatment (Sharifi et al., 2019). To improve patient outcomes, interprofessional collaboration teaches healthcare providers how to work together and respect one another’s opinions on healthcare. Reduced mortality and morbidity, improved medication dosing, and a decrease in adverse severe drug responses are just a few of the benefits that might be expected.
An added advantage to interprofessional collaboration is the increased efficiency with which healthcare services are delivered. Interprofessional collaboration brings together various stakeholders in the delivery of healthcare, which results in an improvement in the information-sharing process. Collaborative decision-making is facilitated by effective communication, which ensures that data is conveyed from the direct caregiver to a more qualified healthcare practitioner and vice versa (Sharifi et al., 2019). Effective communication also guarantees that information is passed from the patient to the healthcare provider. In this manner, the caregiver will be able to provide information regarding the patient’s current condition. At the same time, the healthcare provider would communicate information regarding how the caregiver may more effectively care for the patient.
Interprofessional collaboration not only improves the quality of care provided to patients but also fosters better teamwork and coordination among the many providers of medical services. Healthcare practitioners can quickly share essential information with one another when they work together and coordinate their efforts, which enables them to identify and reduce the number of errors that may impact the patient’s health and wellness (Sharifi et al., 2019). In addition, when healthcare professionals collaborate as part of a team, they are less likely to have disagreements since they are working toward a shared objective rather than competing with one another for attention. This shared objective is often to enhance patient results; hence, healthcare providers direct their efforts to collaborate toward this objective. Lastly, patients are more likely to trust their doctors when they receive collaborative treatment since there is less room for role ambiguity.
Applying the Components of Interpersonal Communication to Interprofessional Collaboration
Interprofessional collaboration is enhanced by effective interpersonal communication between healthcare professionals. The healthcare team can apply interpersonal communication skills to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Interprofessional collaboration relies on a smooth exchange of information, which these components help to facilitate. To ensure the message’s accuracy, the sender should think about how it is structured (Shakhman et al., 2020). The message must be accurate to provide the patient with adequate and high-quality care. To avoid misunderstandings, the message should be well-structured by the sender.
The communication model is another essential element that must be present for efficient interpersonal communication. Healthcare providers and other stakeholders are responsible for ensuring that they select and utilize the model that is the most suited for the situation so that the message may be delivered on time and in the correct format to the intended recipient. Patients’ information privacy is a primary area of concern in communication; as a result, healthcare professionals are responsible for selecting a communication channel that protects patients’ confidentiality (Shakhman et al., 2020). For a continuous flow of information, the chosen route must also be safe, productive, and user-friendly for all parties involved. In this way, there will be no breakdown in communication within the interprofessional chain, which could put patients at risk while receiving care.
Strategies to Promote Interprofessional Collaboration
Interprofessional education is a strategy for developing interprofessional collaboration. Faculty and students work together to promote a collaborative learning environment to improve interprofessional education. Understanding the relevance of collaborative work in the healthcare context can be achieved through interprofessional education (Sharifi et al., 2019). Healthcare professionals learn to appreciate and value the skills of other disciplines through interprofessional education, as well as the tactics they can take to maximize the utilization of these skills in increasing the quality of healthcare.
Interprofessional collaboration in healthcare is made possible in large part by effective communication between healthcare providers. Healthcare practitioners from diverse disciplines can readily communicate essential information that will improve patient outcomes through better communication. Communication also allows stakeholders to voice their opinions without fear of repercussions (Shakhman et al., 2020). As a result, each stakeholder will feel that their input is essential, so they will want to continue collaborating. The stakeholders, primarily patients, will be satisfied with the treatment they receive if it is communicated clearly and understandable.
Effective Strategies to Build Interprofessional Teams
Interprofessional teams can only provide high-quality patient care, an essential part of the healthcare delivery system. Establishing a clearly defined goal and mission is essential for fostering interprofessional collaboration (Sharifi et al., 2019). When establishing interprofessional partnerships, team members will be more focused on the expectations if they clearly understand the vision and mission. In addition, because the team’s members come from many fields, they must have a specific objective. They can better concentrate and guide their efforts if they have a clear objective.
Creating a mechanism for good communication within interprofessional teams is yet another method for establishing interprofessional teams. To be effective, any interprofessional team must have efficient communication. Teams with poor communication systems are more prone to make mistakes and errors during integration that may have been prevented (Shakhman et al., 2020). Poor communication can lead to conflict if problems are not addressed early enough. On the other hand, interprofessional teams can facilitate mutual understanding and concord among professionals while promptly resolving any challenges or conflicts that may arise.
Cultural Competence
Understanding and communicating well with people from diverse cultures is called cultural competence. A positive attitude toward cultural differences and a willingness to embrace and respect those differences are also a part of cultural competency. A healthcare provider’s ability to work in a culturally varied setting while providing culturally acceptable and appropriate care is known as ‘cultural competency.’ Cultural competency is defined by Sharifi et al. (2019) as having cultural skill, sensitivity, proficiency, knowledge, and awareness. Health care personnel must be sensitive to the cultural differences between themselves and their patients and treat them respectfully.
Conclusion
The healthcare system relies heavily on effective communication to provide high-quality patient care. Communication between healthcare providers and their patients must be patient-centered to be effective. Communicating important information clearly and concisely is a crucial component of good leadership. To a large extent, how medical professionals communicate with one another is influenced by their level of cultural competency. Health care providers who are culturally competent can communicate effectively with various stakeholders while recognizing cultural variations.
References
Shakhman, L. M., Al Omari, O., Arulappan, J., & Wynaden, D. (2020). Interprofessional Education and Collaboration: Strategies for Implementation. Oman Medical Journal, 35(4), e160.
Sharifi, N., Adib-Hajbaghery, M., & Najafi, M. (2019). Cultural competence in nursing: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 99, 103386.