Identify verbal and non-verbal communication strategies and standards that enable therapeutic communication and interprofessional relationships

Verbal Communication Strategies:

1. Active Listening: This involves giving the speaker your full attention and responding to them in a way that shows you understand their message.
2. Empathy: This involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. This can be conveyed through statements like, “I can imagine how difficult that must be for you.”
3. Open-ended questions: These questions encourage the speaker to share more information and can help to establish rapport. For example, “Tell me more about how you’re feeling.”
4. Clarification: This involves asking for more information or rephrasing the speaker’s message to ensure understanding.
5. Reflection: This involves restating the speaker’s message in your own words to show that you have understood them.

Non-Verbal Communication Strategies:

1. Eye contact: This can convey interest, attentiveness, and respect.
2. Facial expressions: Facial expressions can communicate emotions such as empathy, concern, and understanding.
3. Body language: Posture, gestures, and movement can convey a range of messages, from openness and confidence to defensiveness and discomfort.
4. Tone of voice: The tone of your voice can communicate your emotions and attitudes towards the speaker and their message.
5. Silence: This can be a powerful tool in communication, as it can give the speaker time to reflect and can signal attentiveness and respect.

Standards for therapeutic communication and interprofessional relationships:

1. Respect: All communication should be respectful, non-judgmental, and free from discrimination.
2. Confidentiality: Healthcare professionals have a duty to maintain patient confidentiality.
3. Collaboration: Interprofessional communication should be collaborative, with all team members working together towards shared goals.
4. Clear communication: All communication should be clear and concise, with an emphasis on ensuring understanding.
5. Professionalism: Healthcare professionals should communicate in a professional manner, with appropriate language, tone, and behavior.