Interaction strategies - Lyn Porritt

Aimed at all health professionals, but especially student and registered nurses, the author presents an overview of communication, bringing out the complexity of the process of communicating and the blocks which may occur. Verbal and non-verbal communciation amongst people interacting with each other are the focus. She also discusses the socialization processes which help make us who and what we are as well as the various aspects of the self and how our view of ourselves affects the way we interact with others and the choices we make in life.;Skills for becoming an effective communicator are covered together with assertive skills and the author looks at how to be an effective helper when another person is experiencing a crisis. What is happening for the person experiencing a crisis is explored and the skills that are useful to employ in this situation are put forward. Finally the skills of problem-solving and management are discussed.;The text aims to show the complexities of effective communication and how health professionals can enhance this effectiveness in the interests of their clients. Emphasis is placed upon the interactional nature of communication, and how to help people meet their needs, to problem-solve and to make decisions about their welfare, within the context of their personal, family and social environments. By bringing an understanding of how these different systems interact and impinge one on the other, the health professional can maintain an holistic approach and ensure that the person is considered in context.