Shepherd, Julie, and Biedermann, Narelle (2020) Communication and self. In: Birks, Melanie, Davis, Jenny, and Chapman, Ysanne B., (eds.) Professional and therapeutic communication. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, pp. 45-60.

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Abstract

[Extract] Effective therapeutic and professional communication in healthcare are recognised as essential to the delivery of high-quality and safe patient care. As healthcare professionals, we continuously communicate, both verbally and non-verbally, with a diverse amount of people in perpetually changing contexts. This activity can be demanding, challenging and exhausting. Every episode of communication we engage in includes a very important, yet often neglected, element: ourselves. This chapter explores communication through an introspective lens, considering the ways in which we present ourselves and the influence that we have on the process of communication. In order to understand ourselves in communication, we need to understand our 'self' in the first place. We will explore the awareness of self that is paramount as part of effective communication, touching on emotional intelligence, empathy and mindfulness as important strategies in the communication toolkit. We also discuss the role that our sense of professional identity has on effective communication and consider the need to remain reflective practitioners, with an exploration of the importance of self-care in the therapeutic relationship. Without this understanding of our 'self' in communication, we risk unsuccessful and ineffective communication, which can have a detrimental impact on all our professional relationships and place those in our care in a vulnerable position.

Item ID:	63974
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Teaching Material)
ISBN:	978-0-19-032346-2
Keywords:	communication; reflective practice; emotional intelligence
Copyright Information:	© Melanie Birks, Jenny Davis and Ysanne B. Chapman
Date Deposited:	05 Aug 2020 01:14
FoR Codes:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2099 Other Language, Literature and Culture > 209999 Language, Communication and Culture not elsewhere classified @ 50% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences > 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 50%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970120 Expanding Knowledge in Language, Communication and Culture @ 100%
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