I tend to explasin how effective communication is key in relaying information to their patients when their doctor uses "dentalese". Their role as the assistant includes conveying information to their patients.
Grace,
Absolutely! So many times communication can altered and miscommunicated due to distractions.
Shelly Crider
Lairlyn,
This is true. Effective communication comes in different forms. We have to know when to speak, when to listen and when to read body language!
Shelly Crider
In the cosmotology and esthetics field, communication is everything so from day 1 they are learning how to communicate with their clients and they are put in situations constantly where they must practive these skills and learn from them before they even get out into the field on their own.
The value of having effective communication skills is important in everyday life. In medical and dental environments, where teamwork is important, communicating well is the key to get through the day to help patients. Documentating properly on the medidcal and dental chart is a must in order for the succeeding provider to understand the treatment provided.
Carol,
Excellent....just showing different techniques is a perfect way of introducing best practices!
Shelly Crider
Ted,
Most definitely! Even in other careers such as criminal justice, income tax, accounting and many other careers!
Shelly Crider
Beth,
Excellent idea! Anytime we can get an outsider from the community to come in and speak...is a great opportunity for growth.
Shelly Crider
Patricia,
Very interesting!! This is an awesome way to show effective communication as you may cause frustration in your students before the 2nd instructor comes in!
Shelly Crider
Emphasized to the students that effective communication that's not only mean you have to be a very good speaker. Effective communication also requires a person to have a good listening skills.
I believe in being a professional you need good communication skills to address the client, families and even your professional colleagues. I believe that communication is a very important part of being able to show asertiveness, and help others know your goals and expectations in the classroom. Students are taught therapeutic communication because they need to get the best information through both verbal and physical assessment of the client they are working with. We teach different techniques to use for communication barriers and attempt to give the students to become a good communicator as well as a good listener.
An exercise I do is to take one group of 5-6 students out of the class and relay a set of "patient information", relating to a mock surgical procedure. I then take them back into the classroom to relay this information to the rest of the class or team. I don't give warning beforehand, so it is a test to see who is really paying attention to the information being received and then relayed. It helps them to understand how important it is not only to listen, but ask questions as well - especially if they don't understand the information being given.
Effective communication is critical for the patient to receive proper health care. In certain situations, it can mean difference between life and death.
I find inviting a professional from the community to be a guest speaker in my classroom is a valuable tool; I discuss the speakers communciation skills with the students. The discussions themselves seem to be a learning tool, and the students respect the speakers communciation skills.
I present an exercise where one instructor explains the physiology of the digestive system to our classroom full of adult learners at a vocational college, using terminology and examples only med students would know. I then administer an exam on the information. Next, I send in an instructor who teaches the same information from the level our students are at and the information specific to the program they are enrolled in. I administer the same exam. I then explain the importance of knowing who it is you are communicating with and the level at which you should be presenting your information so that the receiver can understand what it is you are trying to convey.
I strive to let them know that how they communicate says who they are and will have a big impact on getting a job.
Diane,
You can certainly tell a lot about someone when they do not say a word!!
Shelly Crider
Jennifer,
Excellent point! You can be the best of the best, but without effective communication....you might as well be a couch potato!!
Shelly Crider
John,
Very good point!! A person needs to be able to express themselves so they can clearly communicate.
Shelly Crider
I agree, one must always be able to identify non verbal communication as it is as important as verable communication
