Today is our topic of discussion Health Communication
Health Communication
Communication is part of our normal relationship with other people. It means speaking, writing, listening, reading and reasoning.
Definition of communication:
It can be regarded as a two-way process of exchanging or shaping ideas, thoughts, feelings, information and emotions.
Types of communication:
One way communication (Didactic Method):
The flow of communication is one way through an individual to a group of listeners. Example: Giving lecture in a class room. Its drawbacks are –
a. Knowledge is imposed
b. Learning is authoritative
c. Little or no audience participation
d. No feedback system
e. Does not influence human behaviour
Two way communication (Socratic Method):
It’s a two way method of communication in which both the communicator and the listeners take part. The listeners may raise questions; add their own information, ideas and opinion to the communicator. The process of learning is active and democratic. This method is more likely to influence behaviour than one way method.
Verbal communication:
Communication by words. It may be direct (or oral – speaking, screaming, grunting) or non-direct (or written – mail or letter, memo, reports, leaflet). Sometimes direct verbal communication may be more persuasive than non-direct.
Non-verbal communication:
Communication without words. The media of communication are: body language (gesture, posture etc.) and facial expressions (smiling, raising eyebrows, staring, gazing etc.). Sometimes, silence is also a non-verbal form of communication.
Formal communication:
Communication occurs in a set format. It includes all sorts of business or corporate communication.
Informal communication:
Free unrestrained communication between people who share a casual rapport with each other. Example: Gossip circles.
Visual communication:
Example – charts, tables, diagrams, graphs, pictures and pictograms, maps, figures, posters, models and specimens.
Telecommunication and internet:
Communication achieved through using electromagnetic equipments and satellite channels.
Example: For mass communication: TV & radio; for point-to-point or interpersonal communication:
telephone, telegraph, telex & fax; modern electronic telecommunication systems using internet facilities are: video conferencing, telemedicine, e-mail, etc.
[Q. Name some medias of non verbal communication’?
Ans. Examples in the heading of non-verbal communication and visual communication above]
Levels of communication:
Level I or Intrapersonal:
It is a kind of communication that one holds with one’s self. It is the ability to become aware to understand others.
Level II or Interpersonal:
It takes place between two persons, characterized by active interaction.
Level III or group communication:
It involves generation or collection of data, decision making and implementation, management of conflict.
Level IV or cultural or mass communication
Barriers/inhibitors of communication:
Physiological:
a. Difficulties in hearing and expression
b. Inattention
c. Insufficient adjustment period
Psychological:
a. Emotional disturbances
b. Low level of intelligence, loss by transmission, poor retention
c. Language understanding difficulties
d. Distrust of communication
e. Complexity
f. Difference in status, threat, fear
Environmental –
Noise, invisibility, congestion
Cultural –
Illiteracy, custom, belief, attitude, cultural variation, education level, religion etc.
Function of communication/health communication:
1. Achievements of goals
2. Exchange of views & information
3. Public health function
4. Decision making
5. Formulation & execution of plan
6. Coordination and cooperation
7. Social marketing
8. Publicity
9. Contacting stakeholders
10. Public relations
11. Social responsibilities
12. Communication is must change for behaviour (Behavior change communication).
Elements of communication:
1. Sender or Source
2. Encodinge
3. Messagee
4. Channel(s)
5. Decoding
6. Receiver
7. Feedback or reply
Sender:
Sender of the message is the person who contacts other person with the objective of passing the message, or source is the message giver. He is the person with feeling, ideas and intention of the information or data that is to be conveyed.
Encoding:
The communication involves transmission of some messages, which requires to be expressed in certain meaningful symbols such as words, pictures, gestures and other body language, so that the receiver understands the message in the sense which is intended by the sender.
Message:
Message is the subject matter of the communication intended to be passed to the receiver from the sender. Message may be in the form of ideas, opinions, feelings, views, orders, suggestion etc.
Channel(s) of communication:
It is the vehicle which carries the message from the source to the receiver, or it is the media of communication between the sender and the receiver.
Decoding:
It is the process of converting the message from its coded state to the original state of communicator’s purpose.
Receiver:
Receiver is the person or persons to whom the communicator transfers his purpose.
Feedback:
Feedback in communication is required to ensure that the receiver has received the message and understand it in the same sense as the sender intended. Feedback is a in understanding whether the system is working properly.
Fig. 30-1: Communication channel
Characteristics of good communication:
Clarity, integrity & strategic use.
See also :