Essay On Barriers In Communication

Communication is a process of transferring certain information from certain people, known as the sender, to another people or can be called the receiver, in which the information will give the receiver understanding of something. Communication also includes a sharing meanings / opinions using common rules that are adopted in that society. 1-2
We know that as health physicians, we have to have good communication skill. However, this communication skill is not only talking about giving adequate information to the patients, but as health care providers, we demand changes in behavior from our patients. The term of health communication can also be defined as influencing and motivating either individual, institutional, or mass public to be aware

Discussion
As mentioned before, barriers in communication is the obstacles which keep the meaning of the communication to meet. There are so many theories about barriers in communication and there are indeed a lot of barriers in communication. Schiavo 2 stated that from patient perspective, barriers in communication can be from by:
- Educational level
Educational level of every patient can be different. Therefore, for patients’ better understanding their own diseases, it is important for the doctors to know the patients’ educational levels in explaining the diagnosis to them. 6
- Health literacy level
Because patients often have little knowledge about medicine than the doctor, it is preferable for the doctor to use simple words which are easy to understand other than using medical complex terms, etc. This is done for providing the patients best quality of service and equality of care. 2
- Language barriers
What language means here is not only the linguistic symbols that are spoken and written in words, but also includes sign language that deaf people use to communicate with each other. Even though language is just a tool to make other people know what we are trying to say, difference in understanding the language used is a problem that can prevent the meaning of the communication to meet. It can also cause misunderstandings which can damage the relations between the parties. It can be because the different languages that are used in the communication, different interpretation of what is spoken, etc.