Communication Capability

Concept map
Below is an outline of the key themes of the communication capability.

Effective communication is essential for the first people’s health care. The Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander patients often seek treatment in facilities where clinical staff
communicate respectfully and have a good and definite understanding of their diverse culture
(Taylor, 2010). The communication capability has had a significant impact on me given the vast
knowledge acquired concerning the means of maintaining effective communication with the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The capability provides insights on how the
people’s health care is interrelated with communication. Features of the high and low cultural
dissemination context also allows for the recognition of the significance of communication in the

Communication

Safety &
Quality

Cultural
awareness Relationships

Verbal &Non
verbal

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people’s healthcare. The capability has greatly enhanced my ability to be mindful of the
differences in the cultural contexts. I am better placed to understand how to deal with clients
from the diverse backgrounds. The key themes of the communication capability are respect,
safety & quality, relationships, culture, verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal
communication entails the use of a word of mouth while non-verbal involves the use of signs and
indications to convey information to someone. Both forms of communication have different
aspects about high and low cultural communication contexts. The capability has helped to
understand the need for analyzing the differences between my own verbal and non-verbal
communication and that of the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people. These differences have
different implications for healthcare thus the necessity to critically review them.
Communication capability is the capacity to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers
with the aim of achieving shared communication and relaying information. It entails the ability
to conform to communication styles and making mutual understanding through taking
indications from people. Respectful communication is essential in the health care industry most
especially because the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people seek health care services in
facilities with staff who address patients with utmost respect.
Cultural awareness is a foundation of communication that involves knowledge of a
culture’s practices, beliefs, and values. It entails possession of interpersonal skills that provides
one with the ability to offer services to people of different cultures without any barriers
(Campinha-Bacote, 2002). It is of significance to clinical staff since the Aboriginal Torres Strait
Islander people are more likely to seek medical services in a facility where service providers
understand their cultural values and beliefs. Bridging the gap between the diverse features of the
medical culture and the values & beliefs of the patients is essential in improving patient care

COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY
(Campinha-Bacote, 2011). Health care service providers can positively maximize on
opportunities arising from medical encounters to enhance their knowledge and understanding of
the patient’s cultural practices and values. For instance, a gynecologist’s understanding of the
cultural context that influences a patient’s health behavior can enhance communication and level
of care offered to the patient.
The Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people’s culture may often contradict that of
medical establishments thus making the physician-patient relationship worse. It is, therefore,
necessary for healthcare providers to enhance their awareness of diverse cultural practices and
values and be more willing to learn more about other cultures continually. Cultural awareness
provides the health care service providers with a culturally sensitive approach required when
dealing with the Aboriginal patients.
Building good relationships between patients and nurses helps to enhance communication
among them. One of the factors that play a significant role in the patient- physician relationship
is communication (Jenkins et al, 2002). Adequate disclosure in this scenario entails the
responsibility of both the patient and the health care service provider to ensure that the patients
notify the nurse of any changes and medical improvements while that of the nurse is to inform
the patients of their condition and recommended treatment procedure. Positive interactions
between patients and nurses help to speed up the recovery process since the patients are free of
fear and unnecessary concerns.
Culturally secure communication contributes to enhancing the interactions between
patients and healthcare service providers (Kourkouta et al, 2014). It allows a nurse to be sensitive
to the patient’s beliefs and values. Fostering healthy relationships with patients help nurses to
learn more about a patient’s culture and their practices. In some instances, the patient may

COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY
openly communicate their beliefs to the nurse. The sensitivity of a health care provider to the
reaction of a patient helps them to learn how to address the patient appropriately. Cultural
competence helps nurses to make culturally safe statements and treatment plans (Lowell, 2001).
It is of utmost necessity for health care providers to be culturally sensitive since culture
influences the manner in which the service provider and the patients perceive illness. Caregivers
must address attitudes to be culturally sensitive. Knowledge of the impact of cultural practices on
individual behavior provides nurses with the necessary insights on how to plan a favorable
treatment plan for the patient.
The Chinese culture is splendid and unique in the way the people of China behave in
varying situations. Its communication is of high context, and it’s emphasized by the collectivist
nature of the culture (Dong, 2009). The Chinese culture communication features are as a result of
the collectivist-oriented Confucian cultural values. The communication has characteristics such
as implicit, face-directed, polite, insider and listening-centered (Fang, 2014). Implicitness refers
to the ability to understand communication without expressing it directly. Speaking of the
Chinese culture is associated with seniority and does not allow for an interruption. This, in
essence, means that one cannot be interrupted while making a conversation. It depicts a sense of
respect. Harmonious relationships influence the gentle nature of the communication of the
Chinese.
The Chinese people use different styles of communication for three distinct groups
namely the family, Friends, and strangers. Communication among members of the core family is
direct without much politeness. On the other hand, communication between friends is quiet and
extremely polite while that of strangers is brief and has functional exchanges. Among the
Chinese community, there is more trust among family members as compared to outsiders thus

COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY
the insider oriented communication in their culture. They communicate more with insiders who
they know directly. The unethical utilization of insider communication among the Chinese
makes the people more cautious even when talking with insiders. Face directed communication
depicts a feeling of care about others by appearing humble and thwarting disagreements. The
Chinese culture prohibited conversations regarding sex, gender matters and the body in public
forums in the past. However, such talks are currently allowed.
Based on my experience as a Chinese on the minimal level of openness and trust while
communicating with outsiders and strangers, I am in a better position to understand the
Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people’s cultural communication context. The cultural
influence on my behavior significantly provides the basis for understanding the Aboriginal’s
behavior and attitude. My professional culture as a nurse provides me with a broader
understanding of the communication capability. It calls for the possession of cultural competency
and sensitivity both of which are of the vast essence as a practicing nurse. Through the key
themes of the communication capability, I am more informed of the need to continually learn the
beliefs, values, and practices of various cultures of the patients I happen to come across. My
professional and Chinese cultures help me to perceive Australia’s First people in a more
significant view. A clear understanding of the cultural influence on behavior provides me with
the necessary insights to better understand how the culture affects the behavior of Australia’s
first people. For instance, their tendency to conceal personal information even when undergoing
treatment is explained by their cultural beliefs. The communication capability has an impact on
my perception of the Australia’s first people health care. It provides the awareness and skills
required to offer health care services effectively to the people while fostering strong physician-

COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY
patient relationships and maintaining a culturally safe approach when addressing patients from
the Australia’s first people community.
The dominant cultural paradigm of communication capability identifies the need for
empathy or cultural awareness while engaging with people of different cultures (Scott et al,
1999). A clear understanding of matters about intercultural communication is essential in
facilitating striking deals among people of diverse cultures. Miscommunication and cultural
misunderstandings may result in failure of plans due to linguistic barriers. All cultures depict
different styles of communication and thus the need for the progressive and continuous learning
of the practices of the various cultures (Taylor et al, 2010). Communication capability helps
professionals from all industries to learn how to address people of different cultures not just for
the health care sector. Therefore, this implies that other people other than those in the healthcare
industry have informed perceptions of the Australia’s first people. The capability influences
people of diverse cultures to build strong interpersonal relationships that foster improved
interactions among them and the Australia’s first people.
The reflective process has helped me to realize that I had a misconstrued idea about the
behavior of individuals from certain cultures such as the Australia’s first people. The
communication capability has provided me with the essential guide to enhance my understanding
and cultural competency about clients of varying cultural origins that I may encounter in my
professional practice as a nurse. Increased knowledge about the factors that influence behavior
and attitudes of patients is of significance to me in designing the right approach to use when
dealing with such patients. Through utilization of skills acquired from the communication
capability, I am in a better position to administer efficient health care services to the Australia’s
first people by maintaining healthy relationships and culturally secure communications to speed

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up their recovery process and also that of the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people. The
reflective process also has a positive impact on the lifelong learning of my discipline as a nurse.
My profession allows for opportunities to have encounters with people of diverse cultures quite
often. The information acquired from the analysis of my communication capability concerning
the Australia’s first people will go a long way in enhancing my understanding of the behavior of
people of diverse cultures while providing the opportunities to improve the communication
capability continually.
The critical reflection process has a great potential to transform my practice positively as
a nurse. The process has significantly improved my awareness levels on how to handle patients
while maintaining culturally secure communication. Through this process, I clearly understand
the need to exercise patience and address the patients with utmost respect. For instance, being
aware that a patient may neglect treatment due to a misunderstanding helps to me always
remember to exercise caution when dealing with clients. I am also motivated to find out more
information regarding the cultural background of my clients so as to improve my interactions
with them.
The awareness gained from the communication capability helps me to outline a culturally
sensitive approach clearly while executing duties in my practice as a nurse. For example,
knowledge of the fact that a certain culture does not allow people to talk openly about matters
such as gender and sex would help to design a patient form that requires them to fill out the
information without engaging in a verbal communication on the same. Utilizing culturally safe
approaches to communicating with my clients is essential in my practice and may often
determine the success of my profession as a nurse. Communication capability is in essence very
beneficial in executing my mandate and duties. It is imperative for all service providers in the

COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY
healthcare sector to ensure that they possess the cultural awareness and have communication
capability based on the nature and various cultures of their clients.

COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY

References

Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Ananeh-Firempong 2nd, O. (2003). Defining
cultural competence: a practical framework for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in
health and health care. Public health reports,118(4), 293.
Campinha-Bacote, J. (2002). The process of cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare
services: A model of care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 181-184.
Campinha-Bacote, J. (2011). Delivering patient-centered care in the midst of a cultural conflict:
The role of cultural competence. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 16(2).
Dong, X. (2009). Cultural Differences and Cultivation of Cross-cultural Communicative
Competence in Chinese FLT. International Education Studies, 2(2), 22.
Fang, T. (2014). Understanding Chinese culture and communication: The Yin Yang
approach. Global Leadership Practices, 171-187.
Jenkins, K., Bennett, L., O’Donoghue, D., Lancaster, L., & Carillo, F. (2002). Improving the
nurse‐patient relationship: a multi‐faceted approach. EDTNA-ERCA Journal, 28(3), 145-
150.
Kourkouta, L., & Papathanasiou, I. V. (2014). Communication in nursing practice. Materia
socio-medica, 26(1), 65.
Lowell, A. (2001). Communication and cultural knowledge in Aboriginal health care. Darwin:
Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health.
Scott, M., & Sherson, G. (1999). Intercultural Communication as a Dominant Paradigm.
Taylor, K., & Guerin, P. (2010). Health care and Indigenous Australians: cultural safety in
practice. Macmillan Education AU.