Project Paper COMM 112

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Montgomery College *

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112

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Medicine

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Feb 20, 2024

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How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities 1 Project Paper "How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities" Ricky Floyd, Aymen Sherefedin, and Payton Armstrong Montgomery College COMM 122: Business and Professional Communication Dr. Professor Chaaban 1/14/24

How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities 2 Introduction People who receive health and social care services rely heavily on communication since it shapes their social identities. A person's social identity is their perception of themselves and how others see them in relation to characteristics like their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and physical or mental abilities. Social identities have multiple ways that they can impact communication in health and social care settings. If health and social care providers truly care about their patients and want to treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve, they must prioritize effective communication. Some ways to do this include being conscious of one's own prejudices and preconceptions, actively listening to others, and adopting inclusive language. Healthcare practitioners can help build a more welcoming and equal atmosphere for their patients by being aware of how patients' social identities affect their communication. This essay will delve into the ways in which social identities impact communication in health and social care services, as well as how these identities in turn impact the ways in which individuals, groups, and institutions interact and relate to one another. Definition and Analysis When people and organizations in the healthcare and social service fields communicate with one another, they are engaging in the exchange of ideas, information, and messages. It encompasses many other types of communication, both verbal and nonverbal, including in-person meetings, emails, texts, and phone calls. This is what the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University has to say: "Skillful communication enables healthcare providers to establish rapport with their patients, solicit crucial health information, and work effectively with all members of a care team and the public." For healthcare and social service providers to collaborate efficiently and accomplish shared objectives, it is crucial that they are able to

How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities 3 communicate effectively with one another and with patients, clients, and other stakeholders. Included in this is the fast and accurate exchange of information between various units and departments within a healthcare facility, as well as between physicians, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team. Nonetheless, prejudice based on one's social identity is a major obstacle we to offering good communication. Minorities may encounter ableism, sexism, and racism while seeking medical treatment. This makes it more difficult for some populations to get the medical attention they need. Criteria for Establishing Possible Solutions Identifying a viable solution might be challenging due to variations in healthcare communication practices worldwide, which may be influenced by distinct factors specific to each healthcare practitioner. However, in order to effectively reduce prejudice in services, it is essential for many individuals to adhere to or integrate specific rules when developing a solution. The primary criterion for establishing potential solutions is that they must be practical. While it may be exceedingly challenging to entirely eradicate bias in health and social care services, it is imperative that efforts are made to mitigate the occurrence of discrimination. Additionally, they must be realistic in terms of the economy. In 2021, the United States healthcare costs were "...$4.3 trillion, or $12,914 per person, and accounted for 18.3% of Gross Domestic Product" (CMS). Allocating excessive funds towards healthcare reform is impractical given the already substantial expenditure on health services in the US. It is imperative to allocate resources to other sectors of the country. Subsequently, to effectively address the internal prejudices exhibited by certain healthcare professionals, it is imperative to identify the underlying causes of these biases and implement measures to eradicate them. The upbringing of an individual in a certain setting might

How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities 4 influence their education and beliefs on various races, sexual orientations, disabilities, and so on. Family, friends, religion, and the media are the primary variables that commonly contribute to internalized bias. Social care providers can include these attitudes and ideas into their communication and activities. In fact, "Research indicates that the implicit biases and racist attitudes of healthcare workers are fundamental contributing factors to race-based health inequities''(Ricks, et al., 2021). The solutions should aim to expose and address the discriminatory attitudes present in social services, while also educating care providers on how to avoid or overcome these biases towards minority groups. While a remedy may address certain problems related to prejudice against patients in healthcare, it is as crucial to address the issue inside the healthcare providers themselves. Ultimately, individuals across the globe should be entitled to equal access to medical care. Solutions should be advantageous to individuals without causing detriment to any other group. Universal access to healthcare should be guaranteed to all individuals, regardless of their identity or geographical location. In order to effectively achieve equity in healthcare and social care systems, it is imperative that all individuals are afforded equal treatment and have equal access to services. Implementing a remedy that harms one group in order to benefit another is futile and merely shifts the problem to different individuals. Brainstorming of Possible Solutions By considering the specified criteria, it is possible to develop strategies that effectively reduce the prevalence of discrimination in health and social care services. These strategies should address important variables such as language challenges, stereotypes/biases, and disabilities. Patients lacking a shared language with their healthcare practitioner may encounter difficulties in articulating their needs and comprehending medical information. These "language

How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities 5 barriers between nurses and patients increasingly affect nursing practice, regardless of where care is delivered. In the United States, a language other than English is now spoken at home in one of five households" (Squires). To tackle this issue, one can apply solutions such as offering language interpretation and culturally inclusive services, such as translators and materials in many languages. Additionally, training healthcare providers in cultural competency can also be employed. Stereotypes and biases can exert detrimental effects on communication within the realm of health and social care services. Patients belonging to specific social groups may encounter stereotypes or prejudice from healthcare personnel, resulting in ineffective communication and a lack of confidence. Examples of individuals who may be susceptible include, "minority ethnic populations, immigrants, the poor, low health-literacy individuals, sexual minorities,children, women, the elderly, the mentally ill, and the overweight and the disabled" (FitzGerald, Hurst). One possible way to address these challenges is to provide healthcare providers with training in cultural competency. This training would enable them to better understand the cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values of their patients, and to deliver care that is culturally appropriate. Individuals with disabilities may have difficulties while talking with healthcare professionals. Using the National Health Interview Survey, researchers in a 2018 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine compared the health conditions, behaviors, and healthcare utilization of family members with and without communication illness (CD). They came to the conclusion that "persons with CD were as likely as those without CD to have usual sources of care for routine care and illness. Despite this, they frequently reported unmet healthcare needs due to cost, lack of availability, and difficulty finding healthcare providers"

How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities 6 (Stransky, Jensen, Morris). Implementing measures such as offering assistive technology such as hearing aids and wheelchairs, ensuring healthcare facilities are accessible by installing ramps and elevators, and providing education to patients to facilitate communication can effectively guarantee equitable access to healthcare services for individuals with disabilities. Evaluation of Solution Options All the aforementioned solutions are feasible alternatives that can be incorporated into the healthcare system to benefit various communities. However, it is crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of each option before determining which ones would be the most advantageous, efficient, and cost-effective. First and foremost, the provision of assistive technology offers numerous advantages. Individuals with disabilities typically have limited physical capabilities compared to others, thus necessitating the use of assistive technology to enhance accessibility in tasks such as making appointments, ordering prescriptions, and seeking mental health assistance. This would help many people, as mentioned in the "Global Report on Assistive Technology" written by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, which "reveals that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition." While this is an extremely beneficial option, the expenditures for assistive technology are far too great. In a research paper conducted and published by Oxford University, they stated, "In 2016, the global number of dementia cases was 43.8 million [1] and annual global costs of dementia (mostly from informal and social care) could grow to $2 trillion by 2030". This estimated expenditure value would be roughly 30% of the total budget allocated for healthcare in the future that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services predicted "is expected to average 5.3 percent and reach $6.8 trillion by 2030" based on the National Health Expenditure prediction. In addition to being affordable, assistive technology

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