Therapeutic Communication Cycle Analysis

The four basic elements involved in any communication cycle is the sender, a message and the channel or mode of communication, a receiver, and feedback (Tamparo and Lindh, 2008) (p. 12). Within the communication style, this can include speaking, listening, gestures or body language and writing; also known as verbal and non-verbal. For therapeutic communication to take place, it must contain the five C’s: complete, clear, concise, cohesive, and courteous (Tamparo and Lindh, 2008) (p. 13). However, as I reflect an experience where I had challenging communication interaction, many pieces as mentioned above were missing.

For about six months, I worked as a Home Health Aide at Apollo Garden’s Residence in Hollywood, Florida. My responsibilities

included bathing the residence, dressing them, making up beds, feeding, and making sure that they were out of harm’s way. In the midst the strenuous work, I enjoyed working with the geriatric population. Every other weekend, I had a schedule to work from six in the morning until six in the evening. For that weekend I and another worker, Pam were responsible for about 45 residents. Taking in consideration that some were able to bathe, dress, and feed themselves, it was still very difficult for two people to get residents up in the morning and get them to breakfast by nine AM. It was further complicated by having to care for a man who was violent and did not cooperate with staff. In addition to caring for the residents, I had to make up beds, and help in the kitchen. As my tenure at this facility continued, it was brought to my attention that my performance in the morning was not as fast as anticipated. I then respectfully explained to the other woman working, Doina, who primary objective is to cook the food and dispense medication, that it was difficult doing all that is required with only two people. She took my comment as talking back and proceeds to go to the owner and relay incorrect information. According to the owner of the facility, people have been complaining of me being rude and not likeable to be around. Frustration has shown on my face because of the condition I was working with but I never directed that towards the residence. The boss then threatens to fire me if I did not improve.
The impact of age is one of the factors in communication interaction.

Many of the other employees were at least 15 years older. In regards to me trying to communicate my concern to both Doina and Grace, it was most likely taken into assumption that I was young and that I did not have much knowledge on what I was talking about. One instance happened when I suggested that the facility should have a superbowl party and it was not taken into consideration. Many activities were suggested for the residents to do. Majority of the time the residents sat all day and did not perform any kind of activity. Board games and exercises were some of the activities suggested to encourage the residents to move and become active. However, my ideas never received a chance. Another co-worker suggested an idea a couple of weeks after and Grace agreed to do

it.
Culture is a pattern of many concepts, beliefs, values habits, skills instruments, and art of a given group of people in a given period (Tamparo and Lindh, 2008) (p. 30). The owner of the facility named Grace, was an older Caucasian woman from Poland and Doina was from Romania. It was obvious that these two women and I are from different parts of the world. I also made note that both were not favorable of African-Americans. Grace always talked down to me and even asked if I was on drugs. Out of everything that could be possibly wrong with me, and I already mentioned the cause of my frustration, why would drugs be the first thing to come out of her mouth? The stereotype was beyond offensive and disappointing. Both of the women’s accent showed to be a barrier as well. Many times, I had to ask them to repeat what they were saying to understand what was said.
Both Grace and Doina were stubborn who always thought they were right.

For the two it was either “their way or the highway”. Anything mentioned that did not agree with what either one said causes tension and sometimes conflict. Many times when either asked me to do anything, it was in an unpleasant tone. An authoritarian is a leader who uses a domineering and direct communication style when managing personnel (Tamparo and Lindh, 2008). Grace being the owner of the facility used that role more for her own benefits than for others. Both employees and residents had problems communicating with her at times because of it.

No disabilities, disease, or impairment affected our communication. All parties involved were fully functioning. Communication should have been easier since there were no impairments with any persons to hinder the communication cycle. Because I was employed at a facility with individuals with disabilities, some of them had difficulty communicating as well. One resident, Elizabeth lived with multiple sclerosis and it affected her speech. Many times when she spoke, it was difficult for others to understand her and that affected response she

needed.
According to Tamparo and Lindh (2008), each individual must learn to recognize and evaluate our own actions and responses in situations. Self- awareness is crucial to expedite the therapeutic process. Tamparo and Lindh (2008) have several therapeutic responses for adults. Although it is directed towards adults and events during this stage of life, I found some techniques that would been useful in a different context. Recognizing one’s role as a member of a team is crucial in any situation. Being the owner of the facility, Grace should have been more aware that she has multiple roles. In addition to being responsible for management, she also had to keep an open ear to her employees. In this particular environment she should have been more receptive of what her employees had concerns with and tried to make an effort to solve any complications to the best of her ability. Grace should have been more aware and recognize the stress caused by the environment I had to work in.
Listening is the most passive part of communication but it is actually the most important. One can eloquently express their ideas or concerns but if the other party is not listening then the whole message is lost. Many take this skill for granted and if it is taken more seriously, many communications problems can cease. Three listening goals are: 1. to improve listening skills sufficiently so that clients are heard accurately; 2. Listen for what is not being said or for information transmitted only by hints; and 3. To determine how accurately the message has been received (Tamparo and Lindh, 2008).
Joan Luckmann in her book entitled Transcultural Communication in Health Care identifies eight barriers to therapeutic transcultural communication: 1. Lack of knowledge; 2. Fear and distrust 3. Racism; 4. Prejudice, bias and ethnocentrism; 5. Stereotyping; 6. Health care rituals; 7. Language and 8. Differences in perceptions and expectations (Source). If Grace and I were more knowledgeable about each other cultures and not give in to the stereotypes, the communication process would have gone much better. It is imperative that people from different cultures are knowledgeable about the other persons value and beliefs, develop techniques that build and foster communications and to recognize barriers.
Many aspects play a role in communication. Age, personality, and culture were the main barriers I faced in this context. Although Grace has complications with communication on her end, I could have done more on my part as well to make it better. Position, posture, and gestures played a role as well (Tamparo and Lindh, 2008). (p. 16). Multiple times when I was being addressed, I was stand over to denote superiority and her body language gave the impression that she did not care about a lot of things and what was being said was not important. If I knew the information then to how to better communicate with various people, the outcomes would have been better.