I teach in Massage Therapy. I reinforce the fact that you may have the best technical skills out there but if you cant form the theraputic relationship through trust and commuinication you're not going to be able to build and maintain a clientele. Active listening and clear communication is an essential part of what we do.
I point out to students that it may not matter how much they know if they cannot get that information across to someone else.
Our campus had members of certain professions come to view a class presentation. When students heard the message--people in the industry pay attention to spelling, verbal skills, etc.--from someone outside our college it had more of an impact.
John Kavouras
Jason,
ahhhh.....reversing the situation and putting the students in the patient's spot....good job!
Shelly Crider
Jacqueline,
Oh so much is said by the body!! Eye movement, crossed arms, hurried look....endless!
Shelly Crider
lisa,
Excellent point....being able to listen....active listen....is half the battle of communication!
Shelly Crider
Maureen,
I love when students have projects! This gives them a good feeling of a real job.
Shelly Crider
Joanne,
Students claim to hate role play...however....they certainly learn a lot from role play!!
Shelly Crider
Kim,
Knowing verbal and nonverbal communication is key to success in the workplace.
Shelly Crider
In the health care field, effective communication is essential for optimal care and I emphasize this to my students. I reverse the situation and ask how they would respond if they felt their health care provider team lacked communication skills. It's at this point that all my students come on board and focus on communication skills.
So they can feel confident when discussting treament with patients they will be working on.
I also stress to my students that they must not only rely on verbal commmunication. They have to learn non verbal,eg body language, facial expression, eye contact and most of all they need feedback.
I feel that effective communication comes from the learning how to be an effective listener,communicator through role plays and practices, to establish your clients wants and needs. To identify (in the medical field) what is the actual sign verses symptom so that they get the optimum service provided for their concerns.
MARY,
This is a great way to get students involved. I love the statement "do not assume".....that is oh so true!
Shelly Crider
I teach medical assistants. One way I use to improve communication from students is projects, both individual and small group, which need to be presented. The student must learn to express their personal ideas to complete a group assignment. Each student must verify another students details before presenting a project.
I also have students do role play. Each student takes a turn being a medical assistant and a patient. Each "patient" presents in a different format, as a child, over-concerned parent, addict, etc.
I then compare student communication with how patients may communicate with them and the need to get the pertinent information in order for the student to be an effective listener and communicator and writer.
you have to learn to ask the right questions and be able to respond with the right answers both verbally and non verbally and by doing some role playing in class you can get your students so they are comfortable with all forms of communications.
I try to emphasize to them that the education is usually a requirement and everyone who applies for the job will have the same, if not better, educational credentials. Education alone is not going to get you the job. I tell them how their communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal, are what will set them apart from other candidates.
GILDA ,
I love the fact that we can accept that we do not always get what we think is best. There are times when we get voted down...but being professional will teach us to keep on trying.
Shelly Crider
joshua,
Effective communication in the medical field is indeed crucial.....we do not want to give confusing information to our patients.
Shelly Crider
Good and effective communication is essential in the health care industry. My courses prepare students to interact with patients, coworkers and Drs in the Dental environment. Lack of cummunication could result in pyhsical injury to the patient.
I encourage my students to listen to and follow instructions and ask questions if they do not understand. Do not assume or guess, communicate!
I have in the past assigned a project whereby each student must communicate instructions to their classmates and then monitor how clear the instructions were and how well their classmates followed the instructions.
It might be something as simple as reaching for a glass and filling it with water.
The results are informative and entertaining.
Opened mind, lisening with the thought process that we can give feedback, teamwork in class,most of all not always what we want it to be.
