Effective communication between counselors in patient health care

effective communication BETWEEN COUNSELORS IN PATIENT HEALTH CARE

MORANDUM

Health care service provision is often less effective than is possible due to a breakdown in the communication between counselors and other providers in patient health care.

The focus of the present study is to ascertain what may be done by and between health care providers and counselors to optimize their communication in providing the best possible quality health care to patients under their care.

The research question addressed in this present study is the question of what is it that health care providers and health care counselors can do to optimize their levels of communication in the provision of the best possible quality services to patients?

RESEARCH & ANALYSES PLAN

The plan utilized for research and analysis in this study is one that will involve interviewing and surveying of physician providers and physician counselors in order to identify best practices among these individuals in optimizing the level of communication between one another concerning patient treatment in order to ensure the provision of the best possible quality services in health care and health care counseling to patients. The questionnaires and surveys will ask physician health care providers and physician health care counselors questions that will assist in identifying barriers to communication and ultimately to determine what might be done to remove these barriers and increase the level and effectiveness of communication between these individuals.

The following steps will be inclusive in this research initiative:

Step 1 Conduct review of literature in this area of study which will be a review of academic, professional and peer-reviewed examination of study findings.

Step 2 Develop questionnaire/survey based on existing literature in this area of study.

Step 3 Conduct questionnaires/surveys.

Step 4 Qualitative analyses of information and data.

Step 5 Report findings.

IV. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Communication is critical in all aspects of interaction within society and this is even more important when it comes to health care service provision whether that service is one relating to the physical or mental health of the individual on the receiving end of those services. The communication that takes place between the provider and patient is critically important and just as important, although not emphasized nearly as often is the critical nature of communication by and between health care providers and the interlinked providers of goods and services relating to individual physical and mental health care services.

V. LITERATURE REVIEW

The work of Sal P. Restivo entitled: "Science, Technology, and Society..." relates that the 'characteristics and patterns of communication within health care settings (hospitals, HMOs, clinics) among providers and staff influences the type of care patients receive. Physician-to-physician communication influences the choice of therapy and determines the diffusion of medical therapies/technologies. These organizations also use communication to inform their patents about health education activities as well as other services." (2005) In addition Restivo notes health care practitioners "can use telecommunication technologies to provide diagnostic and counseling services to mitigate the barriers imposed by geography, space, and time. These telemedicine activities can alter the traditional environment of the doctor-patient encounter and potentially change relationships between health care providers and health care organizations." (2005) In fact forming the back bone of health care organizations are the "communication networks" which are used in accelerating change and in becoming more "responsive." (Restivo, 2005)

Restivo (2005) continues by stating of communication that it is "at the societal level - more so than at other levels- "...both purposive and non-purposive." Purposive communication is characterized by campaigns that provide public information with the goals of: (1) creating awareness; (2) changing attitudes; and (3) encouraging the adoption of healthy behaviors. (Restivo, 2005) Restivo relates that the initiative toward focusing on health communication interventions and their outcomes and effectiveness has been through research and evaluation of programs. Specifically Restivo states" Health communication scholars and programs will continue to face the challenge of integrating theory, research and practice as they attempt to crate both individual and societal change." (2005)

VI. INTRODUCTORY LETTER TO SAMPLE MEMBERS

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN COUNSELORS IN PATIENT HEALTH CARE

To Whom It May Concern;

This letter is to invite and welcome you to the above-titled study and to express the importance of participation in this study in that participation will ensure that effective communication strategies between practitioners in patient health care provision are better understood. This is an area that is not discussed as often as is communication in other area however; this is a critically important area of communication in quality health care service provision.

Communication of a quality nature contributes to the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of health care services and patient care. This study will specifically focus on the health care practitioner, provider, organization and the level and quality of communication by and between these entities that either serve to contribute to or detract from quality health care service provision.

Please find enclosed an 'Informed Consent' form. In order for you to participate in this study you will need to sign and return the attached form to the research team. Please sign and return this form immediately in order to indicate you participation in this proposed study. Welcome to the study and thank you.

The Research Team

VII. INFORMED CONSENT LETTER

You are invited to participate in a study that investigates the factor of effective communication between counselors in patient health care provisions. This study hopes to learn what constitutes effective communication between counselors in the provision of patient health care services.

You have been asked to participate in this study because of your profession as a provider of health care services. Should you decide to join this study through participating you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire/survey, any information that is obtained in connection with this study and that can be identified with you will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission however; findings from this study may be published and released to the public and health care service providers generally.