Communication is commonly associated with transferring information from one media or individual to another, which can be done either in writing or speaking, among other possible means improvised by man. It initiates a course of action from one person to the other to show an understanding of the passed message. The nature of human beings is built on good communication in various fields of operation where they create a modified language to ensure it is best understood by those of the same career field, jargon. The healthcare jargon may be a challenge for the people working in the forces, making communication unique and interesting (Sisk et al., 2021). As interesting as communication may seem, there are common challenges that are barriers to delivering the information as required. Referring to my most familiar field, healthcare, I can acknowledge a number of barriers in line with our daily communication.
There are medical errors resulting from communication barriers on my watch as a nurse, and I learned the importance of communication and why it should be a top-tier aspect (Odin, 2021). The biggest barriers I have witnessed are withholding information on medical problems where the doctors have at times risked the patients’ lives. The medication process requires total trust and understanding of a patient’s medical condition before another treatment is executed. The patients should communicate the personal problems that may affect the treatment. Further barriers include a pretense by the patient on understanding the doctors and failing to seek the necessary clarification. A patient’s comfort relies on the approach a doctor takes to create rapport in the environment for mutual agreement and trust with private information. More barriers can result from background noise if the intended information is not well heard and responded to as required.
Cultural dynamics are not to be despised. They portray an equal measure of hindrance in communication. A key pickup point is based on the language difference, where most patients may be unable to express their ailments in a language that the doctors can best understand. Preformed notions are referred to as stereotypes and prejudices that people preserve about an environment, other people, or even a culture on treatment. Such stereotypes are a great challenge to communication as they hinder patients and doctors from interacting professionally. Lastly, on the same approach, we can refer to behaviors and beliefs that individuals own based on a setting or a culture of treatment based on history or past mistakes that paints a negative image. Such incidences result in a great challenge on interaction and hinder transparency by holding back information.
Recommendations
The cross-cultural barriers can be resolved by embracing diversity, a cliché of the past that is spread to eliminate notions of color, religion, and ethnic differences. The further step is spreading a common message to promote open communication, which can be built by establishing rapport and trust between a patient and a doctor. The staff members are not exceptional in experiencing the communication barriers based on all the above factors, which can be resolved by leading open discussions (Sisk et al., 2021). The discussions will share cultures in the working environment and the shared values molding the group together for the great good. Among other random considerations is ensuring that communications are made in friendly environments with minimal or no noise. In such an area, people can easily use a language with consistency by confirming if they understand each other. Common language is a top priority when communicating to ensure that such a major barrier is eliminated and there are no errors based on the same to improve understanding.
References
Odin, R. (2021). Spaces of Communication. In Spaces of Communication. Amsterdam University Press.
Sisk, B. A., Friedrich, A. B., Kaye, E. C., Baker, J. N., Mack, J. W., & DuBois, J. M. (2021). Multilevel barriers to communication in pediatric oncology: Clinicians’ perspectives. Cancer, 127(12), 2130-2138.
write