Significance of Non-Verbal Communication in Effective Healthcare Management

Abstract

Non-Verbal communication aids in developing a relationship by revealing the hidden fears and, as well as reinforcing or contradicting verbal statements. Professionals in all fields should be mindful of their body language and how their appearances send a message to communicate effectively, especially medical professionals. Non-Verbal communication plays a vital role throughout the medical interview. Patients may gather as much information from how medical professionals express themselves through their conduct and gestures as they can from their words. Also, medical professionals must learn to recognize and investigate non-verbal clues such as speech patterns, facial expressions, and body position to understand the patients better. This paper aspires to elaborate on the types of non-verbal communication of medical professionals, both favorable and unfavorable, with patients. It underscores the importance of various forms of non-verbal communication that facilitate effective patient compliance. Visiting a problematic patient, dealing with a patient complaint, or coping with stress can trigger unfavorable non-verbal reactions from medical professionals. Mostly the success of the healthcare management relies on the way by which the particular patient interacts and follows the prescription and procedures for the treatment sought. Be it on any type of healthcare, for that matter. Again this practicing and following the prescription and procedures depends upon the type of convincing technique adopted in communicating the procedures by the Doctors/Nurses or other related professionals. Depending upon the nature of disease the treatment and the type of communication is asserted. It is always the style and type of communication which increases patient compliance. This conceptual paper is an attempt to collect the different literatures and its concepts related to the importance of non verbal communication to the success of patient compliance in healthcare management.

Keywords: Non-Verbal Communications-Types, Patient Care, Hospital Management, Patient Compliance, Positive Responses, Negative Responses

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