Part One Communication skills - a definition: non-verbal communication - proximity, eye-contact and eye gaze, facial expression, gesture, body posture, head movements; para-lingustic features of communication - tone of voice, quality of voice, volume, intonation and pitch, rate of speech, conversational oil (eg. mm, er); verbal communication - what makes a good verbal communicator?; advanced verbal skills relevant to professionals. Part Two Interviewing: purpose of interviews, scene setting, gathering information, involving the interviewee, completing the interview, dealing with difficult situations, working with interpreters; interviewing skills in context - clinical, appraisal/disciplinary, recruitment and media. Part Three Professional meetings: preparation, communication roles, presenting self; meetings skills in context - business meeting, multidisciplinary, case conference and committees/working parties. Part Four Presentations: preparation, establishing rapport with the audience; effective use of voice, delivering content, using non-verbal communication and effective use of audio visual aids; presentation skills in context - client/carer workshops, presentations to other professionals, lectures, selling your service and presenting your research.
This text aims to show the health professional how to develop communications skills. The first section offers a description of the verbal and non-verbal behaviours that constitute communication. Later sections deal with clinical and professional communication contexts. The book is intended for speech therapists, health visitors, general practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other professionals who provide health care.