INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION

THEORIES & THERAPEUTIC

COMMUNICATION

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 Learning Objectives

 Describe the use of communication theory in nursing practice

 Describe the nature and goals of therapeutic communication

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What Is Communication?

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 Definition Of Communication
 Communication is a combination of verbal and nonverbal behaviors integrated
for the purpose of sharing information
 The Process of Communication

Sending Receiving
What Is Difference Between Verbal &
Nonverbal Communication?

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 Sending

 Verbal communication

 Nonverbal communication
 Sending
 Verbal communication: words you speak, vocalization (use of sounds,
including crying, to communicate ), tone of voice

 Nonverbal communication: body language-posture, gestures, facial

expression, eye contact, foot tapping, touch, even where you place your chair.
Which Type Of Communication, Verbal Or
Nonverbal, Is More Under Conscious
Control?

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 Sending
 because nonverbal communication is under less conscious control than verbal
communication, it may be more reflective of true feelings.

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 Receiving

 Receiver uses his own interpretation of your words; these interpretations are
based on receiver’s experiences, culture, and self-concept, current physical
and emotional states.

 It takes mutual understanding by sender and receiver to have successful

communication.
What Are Communication Theories?

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 Communication Theories
 Communication theories are concerned with the transmission of information

 Communication can take place:

• Intrapersonal (within the self); or

• Interpersonal (with others)

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What Is Example Of Intrapersonal
Communication?

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 Communication Theories
 Intrapersonal communication takes place within the self in form of inner
thoughts and beliefs that are affected by feelings and influence behavior

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 Communication Theories

 Interpersonal communication is a cyclic, reciprocal, interactive, and dynamic

process, with value, cultural, and cognitive variables that influence its transmission
and reception.

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 Communication Theories
 Interpersonal communication has two dimensions:

 content dimension (verbal component), refers to the data; &

 relationship dimension (nonverbal communication); helps receiver interpret

the message

 Verbal and nonverbal dimensions have to be congruent.

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 Communication Theories
 Human communication is unique with large vocabularies

 Communication includes language, gestures, and symbols to convey

intended meaning, exchange ideas and feelings, and share significant life
experiences.

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Symbol Table For Non-verbal
Communication With Patients

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 Basic Assumptions of Communication
Theory
 It is impossible not to communicate

 Every communication has a content and a relationship aspect

 We only know about ourselves and others through communication

 Faulty communication leads to defective feeling and acting

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 Basic Assumptions of Communication
Theory (Cont.)
 Feedback is the only way we know that our perceptions about meanings are
valid

 Silence is a form of communication

 All parts of a communication system are interrelated and affect one another

 People communicate through words and through nonverbal behaviors.

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 Communication Theory
 Linear model

 Circular transactional model

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 Consists of 3 components: sender, message, receiver

1. Sender: source/initiator of message; sender encodes the message

(puts message into verbal or nonverbal symbols that receiver can Linear Model
understand)

2. Message: consists of transmitted verbal or nonverbal expression

of thoughts and feelings

3. Receiver: recipient of the message. Once received, receiver

decodes message (translates the message into word symbols and
internally interprets its meaning to make sense of the message)

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 Linear
 Linear model great for electronic media because of its one Model
way nature; conversations with your friends and others are Problems
never one way, but rather they are back-and-forth

 Not taken into consideration in linear model: other factors,

like culture and environment, that often come in play to
affect the message.

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 Circular Transactional Model

 This model expands linear model to include:

1. Context of communication

2. Feedback loops

3. Validation

 Transactional model of communication represents communication as a

process in which speakers and listeners work together to create mutual
meanings.

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 Circular Transactional Models

 In this model, communication is continuous, interactive activity in which sender

and receiver continuously influence each other as they communicate

 Circular models take into account role relationships between communicators:

symmetric role relationships (equal), or complementary role relationships (with one
person holding higher position than the other).

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 Circular Transactional Models
 Nurse assumes a symmetric role when working with client as partner on
developing mutually defined goals and means to achieve these goals,

 and nurse assumes a complementary role of clinical expert when helping client
to achieve health goals

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THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
Nurse-Patient Relationship
 Therapeutic
Communication
 This communication describes a goal-directed form of
communication used in health care to achieve goals that
promote client health and well-being

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 Therapeutic Communication

 Is a vehicle for establishing a partnership between the nurse

and the client.

 Conveys to the client that he is cared for and understood.

 Therapeutic Communication
 Purposeful and goal-directed

 Well-defined boundaries

 Client-centered

 Non-judgmental

 Uses specifically designed techniques

 Goals of Therapeutic Communication
 Nurses use therapeutic communication skills to:

• provide new information

• correct misinformation

• help client understand his responses to health problems

• discover options for care

• help in decision-making

• facilitate client well-being

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 Summary

◦ Communication basic tool of nurse-client relationship

◦ Linear and circular models of communication
◦ Therapeutic communication essential to nurse-client relationship

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THANK YOU