Attention Stroke Clinicians-The Power of Non- Verbal Communications.
Non-Verbal Communication
Non-Verbal Communication-You may be the best clinician in the house but if you are unaware of the importance of non-verbal communication signals you could be diluting the benefits of your rehab skills with your patient.
Research shows that 70% of communication is enacted through non-verbal signals so you should spend time sharpening these skills.
Such things are eye contact, stance \{e.g. folded arms\}, tone of voice, and even the very words you are using are examples of such factors that you should be aware of
These signals can be very powerful tools in communicating and building rapport with stroke survivors, indeed any patient to whom you wish to impart a message or a course of remedial action.
In my previous corporate life one of my project’s KPI’s was to reduce a workforce of 3600 by an amount of 600 staff over a time frame of 2 years. On my part this involved developing carefully crafted communication strategies, change management plans which in turn placed a lot of pressure on my non-verbal skills.
Keep your voice at a conversational level.
Ask yourself in similar situations what are the things that irritate me- the speaker’s stance, eye contact, tone of voice. If they upset, you why should the person in front of you be any different
There is a lot of good material available on the Net, simply google “Non-Verbal Communications”, but I would like to mention a few points I have always adhered to and been aware of –
Avoid the “Zeus” approach when talking to your patients, avoid standing over the stroke survivor, arms folded.
Grab a chair and sit so you are at their eye level with your patient.
Keep your voice at a conversational level.
if you feel comfortable lay your hand on their arm; talk to them not their family,
Avoid jargon, try and communicate on their level
Don’t ever use PIGIN version of their primary tongue – it’s insulting, patronising, Use a translator/interpreter/family member..
Think about what you are NOT saying, try to pre-empt questions.
These are a few simple points, common sense really, but important in achieving your clinical objectives.