This module defines interpersonal communication and components of interpersonal communication. Non-verbal communication and the importance of understanding and recognizing its various forms are explained. Effective conversation and listening skills are emphasized and illustrated. The role of communication and effective ways to communicate in the clinical setting are outlined. There is a detailed explanation of how people communicate feelings and how to respond to people in a supportive manner. Finally, effective ways to clarify meaning in a conversation are described.

Planners, content specialists and feedback personnel have declared that there is no conflict of interest in the preparation and content of this module. There is no commercial support for or endorsement of products in this module.

After studying the information presented, the reader should be able to:

• Define interpersonal communication and the factors that influence it.
• Understand the significance of nonverbal communication.
• Identify effective conversation and listening skills
• Understand how people communicate feelings and how to respond in a supportive manner.
• Use appropriate techniques to clarify meaning.
  

Bibliography

Webliography

Non-Verbal Communication

Page Name: Non-Verbal Communication
URL: http://www.bizmove.com/skills/m8g.htm
Notes: A great guide to reading, understanding, and learning to effectively utilize non-verbal communication.

Conversation

Page Name: Communication Skills
URL: http://www.ee.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Management/art7.html
Notes: Short article/guide to making conversation an effective communication tool.

Page Name: Conversation procedures for communication, talking.
URL: http://www.cyberparent.com/talk/procedure.htm
Notes: Guide to effective conversation procedures.

Clinical Communication

Page Name: Tech Report: HPL-2000-70: Improving Clinical Communication: A
URL: http://www.hpl.hp.com/techreports/2000/HPL-2000-70.html
Notes: Contains a link to a PDF file of a 16 page, semi-academic, but readable guide to improving clinical communication. Adobe Acrobat is necessary to open the PDF file.

Patient Communication

Page Name: A short note on doctor-patient communication - Suite101.com
URL: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/health_medical_communication/27614
Notes: A decent, short article on doctor/patient communication.

Page Name: Improving Patient Communication in No Time
URL: http://www.aafp.org/fpm/990500fm/23.html
Notes: A guide to help physicians improve physician-patient communication. Easily applicable to other health professionals' patient communication.

Page Name: Charly D. Miller, Patient Communication, Interview Techniques, Emergency Medicine, EMS Education, Charly Miller, EMS.
URL: http://www.angelfire.com/co/CharlyDMiller/PtCommMain.html
Notes: Home page for a "mini-web-site" for patient communication and interview techniques. Contains links to articles on various patient communication topics.