Pannel discussion

BARRIERS OF COMMUNICATION

• Presented by Dr.S.D.Shekde JR 2

• Guided by DR. V. M.HOLAMBE H.O.D. Assist. Professor

Dept Of Comm. MedicineG.M.C. LATUR Date-26/06/14

Contents

• 1.Introduction & definitions of communication.

• 2.Communication process.• 3.Tyeps of communication. • 4.Methods in health communication.• 5.Barriers of communication.• 6.Overcome on barriers of communication.• 7.References.

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION ???

COMMUNICATION IS THE ART OF TRANSMITTING KNOWLEDGE, IDEAS, INFORMATION AND THOUGHTS

FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER.

THE TRANSFER SHOULD BE SUCH THATTHE RECIEVER UNDERSTANDS

THE MEANING AND THE INTENT OF THE MESSAGEAND GIVE PROPER FEEDBACK

INTRODUCTION

• Communication can be regarded as a two- way process of exchanging or shaping ideas, feelings and information.

• Broadly it refers "to the countless ways that humans have of keeping in touch with one another“

• Effective communication is to share meaning and understanding between the person sending the message and the person receiving the message.

• Communication and education are interwoven.

• The ultimate goal of all communication is to bring about a change in the desired direction of the person who receives the communication. This may be at the cognitive level in terms of increase in knowledge;

• it may be affective in terms of changing existing patterns of behaviour and attitudes; and it may be psychomotor in terms of acquiring new skills. These are referred to as learning objectives

• Communication is part of our normal relationship with other people.

• Our ability to influence others depends on our communication skills, e.g., speaking, writing, listening, reading and reasoning. These skills are much needed in health education.

• It is said that without communication an individual could never become a human being, without mass communication, he could never become a part of modern society.

Communication Process

• Communication which is the basis of human interaction is a complex process. It has the following main components

• 1. sender (source)• 2. receiver (audience)• 3. message (content)• 4. channels (medium)• 5. feedback (effect)

• 1. Sender The sender (communicator) is the originator of the message. To be an effective communicator, he must know:• - his objectives. clearly defined• - his audience : it's interests and needs• - his message• - channels of communication• - his professional abilities and limitations The impact of the message will depend on his own social

status (authority), knowledge and prestige in the community.

• 2. Receiver All communications must have an audience,

this may be a single person or a group of people.

• The audience may be of two types : the controlled and the uncontrolled.

• 3. Message A message is the information which the

communicator transmits to his audience to receive, understand. accept and act upon. It may be in the form of words. pictures or signs.

A good message must be :• - in line with the objective (s)• - meaningful• - based on felt needs• - clear and understandable• specific and accurate• - timely and adequate• - fitting the audience• - interesting• - culturally and socially appropriate

Channels of communication

By channel is implied the "physical bridges" or the media of communication between the sender and the receiver.

• media systems :• a. Interpersonal communication• b. Mass media• c. Traditional or folk media

• Interpersonal communication : The most common channel of communication

is the interpersonal or face - to - face communication.

• Mass media : ln mass communication, the channel is one or

more of the following "mass media", viz TV, radio, printed media, etc.

• Folk media: Every community has its own network of traditional or folk media such as folk dances, singing, dramas, Nautanki in Uttar pradesh. Burrakatha in Andhra Pradesh and Harikatha in western India besides informal group gatherings, caste or religious meetings.

• 5. Feedback : It is the flow of information from the audience to the sender. It is the reaction of the audience to the message.

• Feedback is generally obtained through opinion polls, attitude surveys and interviews.

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

• 1. One-way communication (Didactic Method).• 2. Two-way communication (Socratic method). • 3. Verbal communication. • 4. Non - verbal communication. 5. Formal and informal communication.• 6. Visual communication.• 7. Telecommunication and internet

Methods in health communication

• BARRIERS

BARRIERS OF COMMUNICATION

• Unplanned distortion during the communication resulting in the receiver obtaining a different message than that sent by the sender is referred to as barriers in communication (also called as “Noise” or “distortions” in communication).

What is a Barrier in communication?

• Every obstacle that stands between the sender and the receiver.

• The most important thing is the message.

• This message should be clear enough in order to avoid misunderstandings.

• Seek feedback to check that the message is understood.

• Health education may often fail due to communication barriers between the educator and the community-these may be.

BARRIERS OF COMMUNICATION

• Lack of planning• “purpose” of communication• Objectives to be achieved• Choice of wrong language, resulting in badly

encoded message• Unshared & unqualified assumptions• Different perception of reality• Wrong choice of the channel

Barriers – sender

• Poor listener• Inattention • Mistrust• Lack of interest• Premature evaluation• Semantic Difficulties • Bias / Lack of trust• Different perception of reality• Attitudinal clash with sender• Not in a fit physical state

Barriers – Receiver

1.Physiological Barrier:• Physiological barriers to communication are

related with the limitations of the human body and the human mind (memory, attention, and perception).

• Physiological barriers may result from individuals’ personal discomfort, caused by ill-health, poor eye sight, or hearing difficulties.

2.Psychological Barrier:• Psychological factors such as misperception,

filtering, distrust, unhappy emotions, and people's state of mind can jeopardize the process of communication.

3.Physical and Environmental barriers: Distractions such as background noise, poor

lighting, uncomfortable sitting, unhygienic room, or an environment that is too hot or cold can affect people's morale and concentration, which in turn interfere with effective communication.

• Crowded, noisy environment.• People taking, music playing.• No Privacy.• Telephone call.

Environmental barriers

CROSS-CULTURAL BARRIERS

• 4.Cultural Barriers:• Culture shapes the way we think and behave.• Cultural difference leads to difference in

interest, knowledge, value, and tradition. Therefore, people of different cultures will experience these culture factors as a barrier to communicate with each other.

• Language

• values

• Social Relation

4.Cultural Barriers:

• 5.Personal barriers:• Lake of confidence.• Personal shyness.• Internal conversation or internal monologue (self talk).• Lack of objectivity. • Culture differences• Language.• Emotion• Discomfort in sensitive situations.

6.Social Barriers:• Social factors such as age, gender,

socioeconomic status, and marital status may act as a barrier to communication in certain situations.

SEMANTIC & LANGUAGEBARRIERS

Those who speak do not know Those who know do not speak - Random Japanese Guy

• 7.Semantic Barrier:• Language, jargon, slang, etc., are some of the

semantic barriers. Different languages across different regions represent a national barrier to communication.

• 8.Linguistic Barriers:• Individual linguistic ability may sometimes

become a barrier to communication. • The use of difficult or inappropriate words in

communication can prevent the people from understanding the message.

• 9.Organizational Barriers:• Unclear planning, structure, information

overload, timing, technology, and status difference are the organizational factors that may act as barriers to communication.

• Eliminating differences in perception.• Use of Simple Language.• Reduction and elimination of noise levels.• Know what you want to convey.• Active Listening.

How to overcome these Barriers

• Simple Organizational Structure.• Avoid Information Overload.• Give Constructive Feedback.• Proper Media Selection.

• There are 6 C's of effective communication, which are applicable to both written and oral communication. They are as follows

• Complete—The message must be complete in all respect and should convey all facts required by the receiver.

• Clear—Clarity in communication makes understanding easier and enhances the meaning of a message. A clear message uses exact, appropriate, and concrete words and avoids ambiguous words.

• Correctness—Correctness in communication implies that there are no grammatical and spelling errors in communication.

• Concise—Conciseness means eliminating wordiness and communicating what you want to convey in least possible words .

• Consideration—Consideration implies “stepping into the shoes of others.” Effective communication must take the receiver/s into consideration (i.e., the audience's viewpoints, background, mindset, education level, etc.).

• Courtesy—Courtesy in message implies that the message should show the sender's expression as well as respect to the receiver. The sender of the message should be sincerely polite, judicious, reflective, and enthusiastic.

CONCLUSION

DO FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

• For Physical Barriers-Appropriate Seating ArrangementEnsure Visibility & AudibilityEnvironmental ComfortMinimise Visual/Oral DistractionsFor Semantic Barriers-Use of Simple LanguageSymbols & ChartsActive Listening/ Constructive feedback

• For Socio-Psychological Barriers-Calling Attention & MotivationAssistance & Sympathy

For Cross Cultural Barriers-Understanding of Traditions & CustomsInformation of all Sides of Culture

• For Organisational Barriers-Simple Organisational StructureAvoiding Information OverloadFlexibility in Meeting Targets

“Communication is the real work of leadership.”

REFERENCES

1.AFMC’s Textbook of public health and community medicine pg.619-623

2.Parks textbook of preventive and social medicine 22: 797-801

3.http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/medicine/9789332501461

4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_noise

Thank you