Question

Compare and contrast effective communication strategies when discussing interdisciplinary and interdepartmental teams.

Answer 1

interdisciplinary team a group of health care professionals from diverse fields who work in a coordinated fashion towards common goal for the patient.

Interdepartmental teams involves representation of different departments.

Both the teams majorly involves people from different background therefore, effective communication is important for the success of the team goal.

Strategies for effective listening:

• Focus on the other person, their thoughts and feelings.
• Pay attention to non-verbal messages, without letting yourself be distracted.
• Listen for the essence of the speaker’s thoughts: details, major ideas and their meanings. Seek an overall understanding of what the speaker is trying to communicate.
• Be empathetic to the feelings of the speaker, while maintaining a calm center within yourself.
• Use questions to clarify your understanding, as well as to demonstrate interest in what is being said.
• Be careful not to hold on to preconceptions about people or things or other department.

Strategies for effective verbal communication

• Focus on the issue, not the person. Try not to take everything personally, and similarly, express your own needs and opinions in terms of the job at hand. Solve problems rather than attempt to control others.
• Be genuine rather than manipulative. Be yourself, honestly and openly. Be honest with yourself, and focus on working well with the people around you, and acting with integrity.
• Empathize rather than remain detached. Although professional relationships entail some boundaries when it comes to interaction with colleagues, it is important to demonstrate sensitivity, and to really care about the people you work with.
• Be flexible towards others. Allow for other points of view, and be open to other ways of doing things. Diversity brings creativity and innovation.
• Value yourself and your own experiences. Be firm about your own rights and needs. Undervaluing yourself encourages others to undervalue you, too. Offer your ideas and expect to be treated well.
• Present yourself as an equal rather than a superior.Even when you are in a position of authority, focus on what you and the other person each have to offer and contribute to the job or issue.
• Use affirming responses. Respond to other in ways that acknowledge their experiences. \