As nurses, we must be able to relate to patients, families, coworkers, and other professionals. A clear understanding of communication dynamics can help healthcare workers hone their skills to relate more effectively to others.
Communication is the exchange of information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
It can occur through verbal or written means and nonverbal behavior such as facial expressions, body language, and touch. The communication process includes several components. There must be a message, a sender who initiates the process by creating a message, and a receiver for whom the message is intended. Without a sender, a message, and a receiver, communication cannot occur. This idea seems simple but many factors can interfere with the completion of the process.