An effective way of learning is through interacting and co-operating with other people as it will give us opportunity to try out and share our own opinions (bailer’sstudy skills for nurses 2001). The benefit of collaborative learning within the group is to build up self-esteem in students and practice interacting with each other. Collaborative learning will develop higher level of thinking (Sanders 1995) the four main skills needed for collaborative learning are: forming skills, functioning skills, formulating skills and fermenting skills. Forming skills are the skills that are needed for functioning and cooperation of the groups. Functioning skills are the skills needed to maintain effective working relationships within groups. Formulating skills are needed to arouse the use of higher quality reasoning. Fermenting skills are the skills needed to rethink what has been learnt the groups.
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Reflective practice is defined as professionals learning from which will help to understand and develop their own practice. Marks-Maran & Rose (1997) state that the different knowledge and understanding one brings to a new situation and the knowledge and understanding one takes away from a new situation is called learning. The reflection cycle according to the Marks-Maran & Rose (1997) includes; the incident of what actually happened, the thoughts and feelings arising from the incident, what was learned, how it will influence future action and related theory of the incident in the light of current knowledge.
Communication is the sharing of information with each other and this will involve a sender sending out an idea or information to a receiver. However, for a communication to be effective, the receiver has to understand the exact information that the sender intends to send Mistry et al (2008). This essay is about reflecting on what happened during my group discussion when we reflected on Daisy’s story. This led us to realise that the professionals did not work together appropriately and the professionals did not communicate effectively.
In regards to my previous group discussion, I personally feel that some of the skills that was used within my group were not effective enough for the group to perform up to its potential, the communication within the group lacked a little, and points were not being brought through clearly. This caused several misunderstandings and confusion which became a major occurrence as it was continuous.The tone of voice used during communication, ineffective communication was prominent as individuals kept talking over one another. For effective communication, I strongly believe that a single voice should be heard at a particular time. According to Anne et al (1992) ”Building the capacities for tolerating or resolving differences, for building agreement that honours all the voices in a group, for caring how others are doing these abilities are crucial aspects of living in a community” (p….). This reinforces the information the individual is trying to pass across to other members of the group. This also sets the tone of professionalism and respect within the group which is a vital component to enable any group to function to its maximum potential.
During the group communication, we all did not maintain adequate eye contact. I observed that eye contact “invariably fell off in the second half of each three minute conversation” (Argyle & Dean, 1965, p289-304). When speaking to a group of people or addressing a patient, it is important to have a connection with those people or that person. This connection is only made possible via eye contact. It shows we are fully focused on the message we are trying to pass across and it also shows a level of certainty regarding the subject being discussed. A lack of eye contact shows a level of weakness in communication and also a weakness as an individual. Some patients might highlight the lack of eye contact as a deficiency in assuredness. In addition, nurses constantly have to assure a patient; so that the patient has utmost belief in the treatment they are being given. Eye contact can also help patients to feel comfortable and safe around us; adequate eye contact will show that we care about them and we are willing to meet their psychological and emotional needs. Without eye contact, people will not feel they are fully in communication.
During the discussion, I noticed that we all understood each other quite well but a number of people brought their thoughts and emotions about the topic and this affected us in a way because there was a barrier in delivering the message. For us to be able to deliver our message properly to our other colleagues, we should consider our receiver’s point of view and see if they would understand the message and how it would sound to them. ”How physicians communicate with their patients is another process that is extremely important to understand. There are numerous analyses of this process, which range from discussions of language barriersto inefficiencies in delivering basic information regarding complex diseases such as HIV/AIDS” (Solet et al, 2005). Knowing different forms of communication is vital and communicating effectively for the receiver to understand the message you are passing through because for you to deliver bad news to your patient, you will need to know how you are going to speak to your patient for him/her to understand you. Delivering of the message must be effective in a way that it would keep your patient safe and build trust in you. My group clearly felt that the lack of established criteria and guidelines which when implemented could have structured the exercise was ultimately helpful. It helped build more interaction between my groups as we had to construct guidelines and methods of an approach together. This quickly aided communication as we as a group felt the need to be involved as it will govern our modes of operation within our team. Molyneux (2001).
During the communication I observe that my voice was not clear enough because some people in my group seem confused whenever I gave answers to questions and had to repeat myself again. I learned that it is important I speak effectively and clearly because I do not want my leadership ability to be questioned. To improve this, it may be helpful for me to use analogies that can help my group understand the concept. When communicating with my patient I will need to speak clearly and show full interest as this will make them more confident and comfortable. Facial expression involves our eyes, muscles and mouth can form a connection with our audience.It is important to maintain a connection with the audience not only using eye contact, but by our facial expressions, which translate into our body language. A patient / audience can read into the body language of the speaker and denote certain attributes. In this aspect it is important to keep a professional stance at all times, a stance and exhibits confidence and assuredness at all times.
References: Surname first + alphabetical order
Michael, A. & Janet, D. (1965) ‘Sociometry:American Sociological Association’, 3(23) 289-304
Marks-Maran, D. & Rose, P. (1997) Reconstructing Nursing – Beyond Art and Science. London. Bailliere Tindall.
Solet, Darrell J. MD; Norvell, J Michael MD; Rutan, Gale H. MD, MPH; Frankel, Richard M. PhD.(2005). Lost in Translation: Challenges and Opportunities in Physician-to-Physician Communication during Patient Handoffs80(12)1094-1099
Molyneux,J. (2001). Interprofessional team working: what makes teams work well? Journal of Interprofessional care, 15(1), 29-35.
Dombeck,M. (1997). Professional personhood: training, territoriality and tolerance. Journal of Interprofessional care 11, 9-21.
Mistry K., Jaggers J., Lodge A., Alton M., Mericle J., Frush K., Meliones J. (2008). Using Six Sigma Methodology to Improve Handoff Communication in High Risk Patients. In: Advances in Patient Safety: New Directions and Alternative Approaches. Vol. 3. Performance and Tools. AHRQ Publication No. 08-0034-3. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; August 2008
Tracy Schweitzer, A. & Leske, J. (2008).’ Thought processes and factors influencing recently graduated registered nurses’ clinical reasoning’.(2nd ed.). University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Sue, H. (2012).nursing:study and placement learning skills clinical nursing skills: core and advanced. United Kingdom: oxford university press.
Goodsell, A. Vincent, T. Smith, S.B & Macgregor J. (1992)”What Is Collaborative Learning?” in Collaborative Learning: A Sourcebook for Higher Education.
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