Types of Communication

There are many types of communication that we use; verbal communication – including sign language and written communication, non–verbal communication; including, body language, eye contact, gestures, facial expression. Roughly 20% of our communication is verbal, and 80% is non–verbal. Verbal and non–verbal communications go hand in hand; although we communicate through speech, our posture and gestures, body language, and facial expression reflect what we are saying. All the types of communication that I have listed below go hand in hand with each other. Generally speaking, more than one type is used at any one time. It depends on the situation as to which types are used.

The types of communication are:
• One on one:
This is a conversation between two people, and the content is usually a private matter, for example a service–user talking through concerns with their health care professional, who must allow for confidential issues to arise which must remain confidential as far as possible.
• Group:
This is a way for three or more people to communicate. For example ante-natal clinic where a midwife meets with a group of women meet to discuss problems, to learn things like breathing exercises, and to meet new women. Another example would be on a hospital ward, when the day staff come in to work in the morning, the night staff give a handover which highlights problems from the night shift.
• Formal:
Formal communication is where the Queen’s English is spoken and is used for communicating with service–users, doctors and other health care professionals.
• Informal:
Informal communication is where slang and local dialects can be used when conversing with friends and family members. It can be used by health care professionals to help relax a client, if they feel comfortable with that type of language being used.  
• Text:
It is not always possible to communicate by using speech, therefore letters or notes can be written for the individual concerned. Clinical...