Preview Adv Pat Comms (PREVIEW) Adv Patient Communication Skills Book Fe | Page 9

1.01 What is communication?
Communication is often regarded as the transfer of conscious level information between
one person and another. It may be helpful however to think more broadly about this if we
are to become expert communicators.
Living systems can be thought of as networks of information exchange, conveying
information at levels from the molecular to the linguistic. Humberto Maturana, a South
American philosopher and scientist and one of the major systems thinkers of the 20th
century studied and wrote extensively about this and he concluded that:
“The basis of communication is not primarily a transmission of information, but rather a
coordination of behaviour between living organisms. Such mutual coordination of
behaviour is the key characteristic of communication for all living organisms, with or
without nervous systems, and it becomes more and more subtle and elaborate with
nervous systems of increasing complexity.”
Humberto Maturana
This ties in very well with our modern concepts of communication at all levels, from the
words, through to body language and even possible non-sensory pathways. These
concepts can be very helpful in broadening our approach when dealing with patients.
1.02 Your personal patient communication challenges
Take a few moments to write down what you believe to be your biggest personal
patient communication challenges.
This may be particular patient types, personalities or demographics. Alternatively it could
be particular situations which arise in the course of your practice, or it could be
something else entirely.
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