Course name:
Health Education and interpersonal communication
Course code:
6501127-3
Dr: Mohammed Ahmed Elawad
Dr: Faleh Saud Alyazidi
Health communication
Functions of health communication
Health communication has to cater to the following needs:
1. Information 2. Education 3. Motivation 4. Persuasion
5. Raising morals
6. Health development 7. Organization
8. Counselling
1. Information
The primary function of health communication is to provide scientific knowledge or information to people about health problems.
The government, the media and health providers have an important social responsibility to provide health information to the people
2. Education
Education can help to increase knowledge. It is often assumed that knowledge determines attitudes and attitudes determine behavior.
3. Motivation
One of the goals of health communication is to motivate individuals to translate health information into personal behavior and life - style for their own health. Motivation includes the stages of interest, evaluation and decision making. Health communication assists the individual in passing from the state of awareness and interest to the final stage of decision making and adoption of the new idea or programme
4. Persuasion
Persuasion is the art of winning friends and influencing people.
Persuasion is "a conscious attempt by one individual to change or influence the general beliefs, understanding, values and behavior of another individual or group of individuals in some desired way".
5. Raising morale
Morale is "the capacity of a group of people (or team) to pull together persistently or consistently. Communication – vertical and horizontal, internal and external is the first step in any attempt to raise morale of the health team or a group of people.
6. Health development
Communication can play a powerful role in health development by helping to diffuse knowledge in respect of the goals of development and preparing the people for the roles Expected of them.
7. Health organization
Communication is an important dimension of health organization. It is an important means of intra and inter- sectoral coordination.
8. Counselling
Counselling is a process that can help people understand better and deal with their problems.
It can provide support at times of crisis. It helps them face up to their problems and to reduce or solve them.
Counselling is different from advising. It implies choice, not force.
A Counseller should be able:
1) to communicate information 2) to gain the trust of the people
3) to listen sympathetically to people who are anxious, distressed and possibly hostile
4) to understand other person's feelings and to respond to them in such a way that the other person can feel free to express his feelings
5) to help people reduce or resolve their problems.
Counselling is an important part of:
• Treatment
• Disease prevention
• Health promotion
It is an integral part of all health care programmes.
Counseling Interpersonal communication
Face to face interactions Face to face interactions
Could be verbal or non-verbal Could be verbal or non-verbal
Use two way communication Use two way communication
Usually between a provider and a client
Provider with and individual or group of clients
Help the client to make an informed decision
May inform, educate and motivate client
Principles of Counseling:
1- Counseling should take place in a private quiet place where client and Health Worker can hear each other, and with sufficient time to ensure that all necessary information, clients concerns and medical requirements are discussed and addressed.
2- Confidentiality must be ensured, both in the process of counseling and the handling of client records.
3- It is essential that counseling takes place in a non-judgmental, accepting and caring atmosphere.
4- The client should be able to understand the language the health worker uses (local dialect, simple culturally appropriate vocabulary, no highly technical medical technology).
5- health worker must use good interpersonal communication skills, the ability to question effectively, listen actively, summarize and paraphrase clients comments or problems, and adopt a non- judgmental, helpful manner.
6- The client should not be overwhelmed with information. The most important message should be discussed first and be brief simple and specific.
7- Repeating critical information is the most effective way to reinforce the massage.
Repeat, repeat and repeat.
8- Always verify that the client has understood what has been discussed. This can be done by asking open-ended question or through observation when they practice the skills.
Qualities of a good Counselor
1) Knowledgeable
2) Ensures confidentiality 3) Good listener
4) Shows interest
5) Has self-control and tact 6) Non-judgmental
7) Empathetic
8) Honest and acknowledges limitations 9) Approachable
10) Ability to create relationships
