Effective Communication

Discuss the barriers and facilitators to effective communication with a client as an occupational therapist.

Communication is considered to be a two way process, which involves at least two people sharing information (Higgs, Sefton, Street, McAlister & Hay, 2005). It can occur through speech or vocalisation (e.g. crying), non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, eye contact and through written or other material forms such as pictures (O’Toole, 2012). Communication is considered effective when the intended meaning of the conveyed message is received and understood by the both parties and a point of common understanding is reached (O’Toole, 2012). The goal of effective communication between an Occupational Therapist (OT) and a client is to ultimately deliver an intervention that creates positive participation in occupations that in turn leads to an improvement of health and well-being in the client. This goal is best achieved through the application of client-centered practice, which is accomplished by the development of both mutual understanding and a therapeutic relationship (O’Toole, 2012).

Mutual understanding is defined as common understanding of communicatory meaning and is a core component in achieving client-centered practice (O’Toole, 2012). Effective communication between an OT and a client leads to the establishment of empathy, respect and trust all of which build the premise for mutual understanding (O’Brien & Hussey, 2013). Respect refers to showing regard to what a client is expressing while empathy is the ‘direct, clear and accurate recognition of the emotions of the individual’ (O’Toole, 2012, p.14). If communication is effective in developing empathy and respect, then client participation in all aspe...

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...nd if possible barriers such as tables should be avoided (Cole, 2005). In group intervention the placement of chairs is very important in the facilitating of communication. A circle shape should be formed in order to allow all parties to communicate; this is to avoid the OT being the centre of all communication (Cole, 2005).

Effective communication is important in all aspects of life but particularly in facilitating effective intervention between an OT and a client. As OT’s, effective communication plays a vital role in the building of client centered practice, which is one of the core goals of OT intervention. If verbal and non-verbal communicatory cues are misused or misinterpreted then this relationship can be damaged. It is therefore very important that we are aware of the barriers that can hinder and implement strategies that promote effective communication.