John, communication is a challenge to all of us. Healthcare professionals must be master communicators.
Michele Deck
Yes, I agree that non-verbal communication is just as effective as verbal communication however, if not practiced over and over again, it too can be misunderstood.
Patients are more knowledgable today than they were in the past. Patients are very observant and when noticing these non-verbal gestures may determine that something is wrong, when in fact, it may not be.
John Billingsley
I work in a hands-on classroom setting. I like the idea of gestures as not to distract other learners.
Carlos, this is a safe and easy way to signal to your students.
Michele Deck
My most 'negative' gesture in clinical is to hold the student's elbow "to freeze" what they are doing to give them pause before proceeding.
I like to use gestures with our dental patients as many patients have anxiety and this helps keep any situation that could induce more anxiety unnoticed by the patient.
Douglas, this proves non-verbal communication is as critical as verbal, and we must plan for it.
Michele Deck
ArLene , you can work with the students so that they can help you create and use these signs.
Michele Deck
I like this idea too. I need to figure out some signs to let the students know when I need to talk to them in private, or to stop what they are doing.
