Activity 3:

1. Suggest ways to mitigate the different barriers of communication mentioned above.

• Professional incompetence and lack of medical experience

Mitigation:
Attending seminars, programs, and trainings that can help in gaining more knowledge and skills
regarding phlebotomy These will be extremely beneficial, particularly the trainings, as they will
allow an individual to learn and practice practical skills.

• Poorly structured medical examination

Mitigation:
Learn from past mistakes. Continue to improve and make learning a habit. Make an effort to
perform well on the following.

• Distractions and interruptions of examination by adverse events ( ie. Interruption of the

patient’s story)
Mitigation:
Listen to patients’ stories, but know when to interrupt. Engage in conversation politely. Know
when to properly distract a patient.

• Inadequate language (ie. complicated or ambiguous, using medical jargon)

Mitigation:
Explain medical terms in layman’s terms as much as possible. Explain something in a manner
that a patient can easily understand.

• Manner of speaking (ie. too fast, unclear articulation, tone and content)
Mitigation:
Be mindful of your tone when you speak to patients. Be clear and know what you are talking
about in order to avoid misinformation.
• Not questioning the patient at all
Mitigation:
You should acknowledge the patient’s presence. Inquire about how they are feeling as well as
their medical history (such as if they are taking medicine) in order to know what to do with them.

• Not listening carefully to the patient.

Mitigation:
Be an active listener. Respect every patient, no matter who they are. They may be rude to you
when you do not show that you are interested in what they are saying.

• Strong negative emotions.

Mitigation:
Handle emotions properly. Do not be distracted by it. When the patient is someone you do not
get along well with, still act appropriately.

• Inappropriate behavior (preoccupation with other things, talking on the phone, work on the
Computer).
Mitigation:
You have to focus. Correctly manage your behaviors. Be organized in order not to cram, and
know what behavior is expected in the workplace.

• Uncontrolled body language.

Mitigation:
Control your body language. Learn to work on your mannerisms, if you have any.