Lesson 4: Communication and Health Education Skills

Lesson 4: Communication and Health Education Skills

This article will discuss the essential skills for effective health communication and education.

1. Necessary knowledge:

• Medical knowledge: This is the foundation for understanding health issues, diseases, prevention methods, and treatment.

• Educational knowledge: This encompasses knowledge about general education and medical education specifically. It helps communicators understand how to approach and convey information effectively.

• Knowledge of local and ethnic culture: This helps communicators understand the customs, traditions, language, and thinking patterns of local people, enabling them to develop appropriate communication methods.

2. Communication skills:

• Speaking skills: Using clear and easy-to-understand speech, avoiding excessive technical jargon and opting for simple and understandable language.

• Questioning skills: Asking precise, clear, detailed, and thorough questions, observing the audience’s response while questioning.

• Listening skills: Paying close attention, gathering information, and understanding the message the audience wants to convey.

• Observation skills: Monitoring the audience’s body language, attitude, and expressions to assess their level of information reception and communication effectiveness.

3. Pre-communication testing:

• Planned communication method: Testing to check for effectiveness and suitability for the audience.

• Health education tools: Testing the effectiveness and accessibility of tools before widespread use.

• Communication content: Checking for accuracy, comprehensibility, and audience appropriateness.

4. Persuasion skills:

• Using appropriate language: Employing gentle and persuasive language, avoiding imposing or forcing the audience.

• Respecting audience opinions: Listening and understanding the audience’s viewpoint before offering advice or explanations.

5. Choosing communication time and location:

• Time: Selecting a time suitable for the audience and communication content, avoiding busy or inappropriate time slots.

• Location: Choosing a convenient, peaceful, and comfortable location for both the communicator and the recipient.

6. Examples:

• Family planning communication: Using persuasion skills and selecting appropriate language to persuade a farming couple to adopt contraception.

• HIV/AIDS communication: Conducting the communication at home to create a comfortable atmosphere and facilitate accessibility for the audience.

Conclusion:

To excel in health communication and education, practitioners must possess a comprehensive knowledge base, necessary skills, and always prioritize audience and local cultural suitability.