4.13 : Barriers to Effective Communication II

The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.

Cultural barriers:

Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.

Semantic barriers:

As a result of their tendency to use jargon, acronyms, or acronyms that may be confusing to patients, medical personnel frequently encounter semantic barriers. In addition, patients may not be aware of the medical terminologies and sometimes feel embarrassed to say they have not understood a word or a phrase. It is better to use simpler terms when talking with patients or their family members. For instance, a dentist may suggest a patient get an OPG, and the patient may be confused and unsure of what this indicates. Instead, the doctor can clarify things by advising the patient to take a dental X-ray.

Gender barriers:

Due to disparities in how different genders interact and are expected to communicate by society, gender barriers arise. Communication is also hampered by gender prejudices and assumptions that favor one gender over the other. Each gender has a different communication pattern and usually assumes that the other gender thinks and acts similarly.

Time constraints:

Time becomes a barrier when there is an imbalance in the staff-patient ratio. Nurses may not find enough time to communicate effectively with their patients during emergencies or in a unit where there is a shortage of nursing or assistant staff present.