Enough said or is it?

By Shiphrah Njeri

At no point will we ever have enough communication, especially in a healthcare system? Communication is the backbone of any company. Good communication is critical in running any organization be it small or big.

The management of any organization must practice good communication for a successful and smooth flow of activities.

Communication is only effective if the receiver understands the message as intended, it enables tasks to be completed diligently. Nothing undermines a communication program more quickly than inconsistent actions by leadership, and nothing speaks as powerfully as someone who is backing up their words with behavior. When an entire team of senior management starts behaving differently and embodies the change they want to see, it sends a powerful message to the entire organization. (Forbes, Jun 14, 2011).

Success in a healthcare environment requires a direct, integrated approach. It is important to have verbal communication rather than handwritten notes or email to make sure the recipient (patient) fully understands the meaning and intent behind critical information. This becomes pivotal when information flows within and between departments. Direct information pooling is vital to preventing miscommunications that can have serious or even fatal consequences.

Collaborative communication creates a more efficient and flexible working environment. Regular team meetings and group care-planning sessions provide opportunities to set expectations, clarify responsibilities, learn what other team members are doing, and, when possible, find ways to help each other. The trust and familiarity that often develops from team meetings and face-toface interactions also can reduce disputes and conflict of interest, which makes it easier to solve problems that otherwise, would make teamwork more difficult.

Healthcare teams make better decisions in a collaborative environment. The main reason for this is that information sharing allows colleagues to consider situations and problems from more than one perspective. Comparing and contrasting different points of view allows for creating action plans based not just on symptoms and test results but also on the client as a person. Caregivers can ensure that the patient’s personal experiences and social circumstances play a role in care planning.

Communication is only effective if the receiver understands the message as intended, it enables tasks to be completed diligently.

Good and effective communication can improve overall client satisfaction or the patient experience. An environment in which the information a client gets differs with each shift or caregivers aren’t sure which doctor is in charge of a patient often translates into a perception of lower-quality care. In addition, the conflicts a lack of communication can cause between and within healthcare teams can frustrate even the most easygoing patient or family member. In contrast, improvements in information flow, daily caregiverclient interactions, and increased employee morale that results from collaborative communication work create a much more satisfactory patient experience.