Category Archives: Uncategorized

Andersen, J. (2008). Developing active listening skills: can you hear me now? How effective communication will enhance your career. IDEA Fitness Journal, 5(5), 85-88. Browning, S., & Waite, R. (2010). The gift of listening: Just listening strategies. Nursing forum, 45(3). doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6198.2010.00179.x Dawson, S., King, L., & Grantham, H. (2013). Review article: Improving the hospitalContinue reading “References”

It is important to constantly reflect on one’s ability to communicate in order to improve. This is challenging in itself as you must try and identify what you know and actively seek out knowledge to challenge yourself. It can be hard to find information that does not agree with your world view and it isContinue reading “Final Reflective Commentary”

Understanding barriers and enablers to communication will facilitate better communication in the paramedic’s work life. It is important to understand how certain factors can prohibit effective communication and by understanding these factors, a paramedic can try and circumvent these barriers. Conversely, by understanding the enablers of communication, a paramedic can use this knowledge to streamlineContinue reading “Barriers and enablers to communication”

Empathy plays an important role in communicating with patients. Paramedics need to establish a health provider-patient relationship that promotes two-way communication and use of empathy can help develop a successful relationship. There are several barriers that may prevent a patient disclosing all the information, embarrassment being one of them. The use of empathy can helpContinue reading “The role of empathy in communciation”

Communication with patients who have disability can be hindered by a variety of barriers. Cognitively impaired patients for example may have a limited ability to report their pain experience. As such, it is important to explore alternative communication strategies in order to try and get as much information from the patient as possible. Practicing thisContinue reading “Communicating with patients who have disability”

Active listening is a communication skill that is extremely important in the interviewing process. It is essentially, listening for meaning as what someone says and what you hear can be different. Personal beliefs and assumptions can distort what you hear (Andersen, 2008). Active listening uses restatement to ensure understanding, and means the listener is notContinue reading “Active Listening”

In an increasingly multicultural landscape, a paramedic will treat individuals with a variety of cultural backgrounds and therefore will need to communicate with a variety of different individuals. However, communication does not necessarily mean understanding. The same scenario may have different interpretations based on an individual’s cultural background. And it is understanding this problem thatContinue reading “Communicating with others from a different cultural background”

Communication is essential in every professional domain but is extremely important in the health care field. If communication is blocked in-between patient and health care professional, or in-between health care professionals, this can lead to poor health care outcomes. Promoting communication skills and practicing and reflecting on these skills is important in providing optimal healthContinue reading “Introduction”

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken. — Oscar Wilde. This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.