Posted: September 7th, 2024

Meaning of Communication Skills

Memorandum
To:
From:
Date: 04/6/2021
Subject: Meaning of Communication Skills
Introduction
Good communication skills are a vital element in maintaining strong working relationships and enhancing productivity at all companies’ levels. Employers who devote much of their energy and time to deliver perfect lines of communication will significantly enhance trust among their followers and employees, enhancing productivity and general output. Similarly, workers who effectively communicate with their managers, customers, and colleagues are always essential assets to the firm. Moreover, communication skills always give individuals a high competitive advantage while applying for a job with a company (Showry & Manasa, 2012). In the medical field, proper communication has several meanings and is considered an essential factor in all healthcare processes.
Ability to Fluently Communicate With Patients and Colleagues
The respiratory therapist’s role is essential for most individuals. Their work is exceptionally technical; thus is important that the therapist understands how to communicate effectively. Therefore, the first meaning of communication skills in the field of medicine (respiratory therapy) is the ability to communicate fluently with both the patient and other health practitioners (Grossbach, Stranberg, & Chlan, 2011). The primary means of communication in the therapy field is verbal (oral or spoken). The therapist directly speaks to the patient, nurses, doctors, and even the patient’s relatives. For some respiratory therapists, it may be hectic to have good verbal communication skills. Nonetheless, because in most cases, the therapist will be talking to the patient directly, then it is important for them to practice to have suitable and satisfactory skills for verbal communication.
Effective Way of Saving Time
Excellent and effective communication skills help the therapists’ to properly manage their time. During the patient’s initial visits, the therapist will have to obtain the essential information they will use throughout the therapy sessions (Weir, 2012). Therefore, therapists will employ their communication skills to effectively obtain the required information, thus, saving time. Therefore, communication is extremely vital, but one must understand what one needs to achieve through a particular communication. Meaning, individuals need to employ their acquired communication skills to accomplish their objectives or meet the outcomes for various issues. Therefore, communication skills, when used effectively and efficiently, ensure proper time management.
Communication as a Way of Enhancing the Patient’s Confidence
When the therapist-patient conversation is ongoing, the therapist should use simple language that does not bombard the client with little meaning or technical words. When the therapist uses technical terms beyond the patient’s understanding, the client may quickly become ashamed of their inability to understand. As a result, patients will hesitate in answering the questions, halting the therapy progress. Also, the patient may evade seeking an explanation for the technical term and focus on achieving a full understanding of the situation. Good communication skills enable the therapist to bring the conversation to the understanding level of the patient. As a result, the therapist will try to best meet the understanding of the patient of what they are trying to communicate. Eye contact is essential during the conversation as it helps the therapist determine whether the patient understands what is being communicated. When employing good communication skills to determine the understanding level of the client, the patient’s confidence level is improved (Ha & Longnecker, 2010). Similarly, transparency and honesty are essential elements in effective communication between the therapist and the patient. Therapist comments should leave no doubt, misunderstanding, or suspicion during communication. Thus, effective communication enhances patient’s confidence.
Conclusion
Therapists offer their patients with deep intellectual, interpersonal, technical skills and abilities when offering their care. However, to successfully achieve that, they need proper interpersonal communication skills and not just clinical knowledge they acquire in school.

References
Grossbach, I., Stranberg, S., & Chlan, L. (2011). Promoting effective communication for patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Critical care nurse, 31(3), 46-60.
Ha, J. F., & Longnecker, N. (2010). Doctor-patient communication: a review. Ochsner Journal, 10(1), 38-43.
Showry, M., & Manasa, K. V. L. (2012). Effective Communication for Professional Excellence. IUP Journal of Soft Skills, 6(1).
Weir, K. (2012). Improving patient-physician communication. Monitor on Psychology, 43(10), 36.

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