One-to-one communication
One-to-one communication occurs when one person speaks with or writes to another individual. This happens when a care professional meets with a person who has health worries or personal concerns, such as during a doctor–patient appointment for example. Lots of one- to-one communication also occurs when care professionals meet with and talk to each other or with the partners, relatives or friends of people receiving care.
Communication in one-to-one situations is most effective when both parties are relaxed and are able to take turns at talking and listening. Effective communicators are good at:
• beginning the one-to-one interaction with a friendly, relaxed greeting • focusing on the goal or ‘business’ of the interaction
• ending the interaction in a supportive, positive way.
Effective communication and interaction play an important role in the work of all health and social care professionals. For example, care professionals need to be able to use a range of communication and interaction skills in order to:
• work inclusively with people of different ages and diverse backgrounds
• respond appropriately to the variety of care-related problems and individual needs of people who use care services
• enable people to feel relaxed and secure enough to talk openly
• establish trusting relationships with colleagues and people who use care services
• ask sensitive and difficult questions, and obtain information about matters that might be very personal and sensitive
• obtain clear, accurate information about a person’s problems, symptoms or concerns
• give others information about care-related issues in a clear, confident and professionally competent way.
If you have been to your doctors’ surgery lately, your GP or practice nurse may have used their communication and interaction skills to find out about the symptoms of your health problems or may have given you advice or guidance on some aspect of your health behaviour or lifestyle. Establishing a good rapport
Communication in one-to-one situations is most effective when both parties are relaxed and are able to take turns at talking and listening. Effective communicators are good at:
• beginning the one-to-one interaction with a friendly, relaxed greeting • focusing on the goal or ‘business’ of the interaction
• ending the interaction in a supportive, positive way.
Effective communication and interaction play an important role in the work of all health and social care professionals. For example, care professionals need to be able to use a range of communication and interaction skills in order to:
• work inclusively with people of different ages and diverse backgrounds
• respond appropriately to the variety of care-related problems and individual needs of people who use care services
• enable people to feel relaxed and secure enough to talk openly
• establish trusting relationships with colleagues and people who use care services
• ask sensitive and difficult questions, and obtain information about matters that might be very personal and sensitive
• obtain clear, accurate information about a person’s problems, symptoms or concerns
• give others information about care-related issues in a clear, confident and professionally competent way.
If you have been to your doctors’ surgery lately, your GP or practice nurse may have used their communication and interaction skills to find out about the symptoms of your health problems or may have given you advice or guidance on some aspect of your health behaviour or lifestyle. Establishing a good rapport