who will you be communicating with?
- patients and families
- eachothers as peers
- members of the multidisciplinary team
- written records and investigations
what are soem factors effecting communication
- content of what your saying
- the environment
- body language
- tone and inflection of your voice
- language that you communicate in
- technology
what factors with verbal communication
- tone, volume, pitch
- pace
- accent
- the words
- the language
- the context
what is some “accepted” language you will hear?
- Failure (to progress)
- Failed (induction)
- Incompetent (cervix)
- Weak, inadequate (contractions)
- Ineffective (pushing)
- Lack of maternal effort (pushing)
- Inhospitable, lazy, boggy (uterus)
- Normal (birth, anatomy)
- Delivery
whats included in non-verbal communications
- gestures
- facial expressions
- body movement
- timing
- toutch
- eye contact
- proxemics
what are non verbal communication tools?
- regulators
- adapters
- emblems
- illustrators
- affect displays
what are regualtors in relation to non-verbal communication tools?
The way you manipulate conversations, including the pace. To show how you feel without saying anything e.g., rolling your eyes, nodding your head, hand gestures, looking away
what are adapters in relation to non-verbal communication tools?
The things you do physically to make yourself feel better. E.g., rubbing your head, playing with your hair, checking your watch, crossing your arms
what are emblems in relation to non-verbal communication tools?
Universal signs with do with our body e.g., peace sign, thumbs up….remember culture!
what are illustrators in relation to non-verbal communication tools?
Body movements that go with words, enhances what you are saying e.g., come on, thumbs up. Be aware of mixed messages!
what are affect displays in relation to non-verbal communication tools?
Things you do with hands/face that speaks volumes about how you feel. E.g., crossing your arms in front of your body
how should you introduce yourslef?
“hello, my name is - i am a ‘student midwife’”
what is involved in active listening?
Think about timing
Eye contact: face the speaker with an open body posture
Watch out for non-verbal cues
Don’t interrupt
Listen without judging or jumping to conclusions
Don’t start planning what to say next
Show that you are listening (your non-verbal tools)
Don’t impose your opinions or solutions
Stay focussed
Ask open questions
non-verbal communication
Can be positive e.g. pat on the back, stroking hair, holding of hands, massage in labour
touch
Can be task-related e.g. the hairdresser, a manual job. Not necessarily a form of communication. What about midwifery? E.g. Blood pressure verses massage in labour?
Touch avoidance: Some people may not want to be touched at all. This is clearly OK. If this is you, consider how this may impact others.
We can control people with touch e.g. hand on shoulder. Think of mother and child, midwife and woman? Is this ok?
