Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 700062

Coordinator Charlise Bennett Opens in new window

Description Communication is integral to professional relationships, whether working individually with a client, educating community members on health matters, or working with other professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team. This subject aims to develop communication skills in preparation for work within the health professions across these areas. Communication skills will include those needed to form therapeutic relationships with individual clients and groups, as well as those required to communicate health information to clients, groups and the wider community. Students will develop skills to establish appropriate working relationships with professional colleagues.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Verbal Communication

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Equivalent Subjects COMM 1007 - Communication in Health LGYA 7034 - Communication for the Helping Professions COMM 1043 - CommsHealth(UGCert)

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled at Western Sydney University, The College. Students enrolled in Extended Diplomas must pass 40 credit points from the preparatory subjects listed in the program structure prior to enrolling in this University level subject. Students enrolled in Integrated combined courses  must have passed or be enrolled in the preparatory units in their course in order to enrol in this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Critically analyse and evaluate the characteristics of health professional relationships with clients, colleagues, and the wider community.
2. Reflect on the impact of personal attitudes, beliefs and values on communication.
3. Apply essential verbal and written communication skills in the interaction with individual clients, patients, significant others, colleagues and other health stakeholders.
4. Analyse and apply strategies to adapt communication processes to meet the varying health literacy or special needs of clients, family and significant others.
5. Employ teamwork skills relevant to working in health care settings.

Subject Content

• Theoretical frameworks and processes in effective communication
• Skills for effective communication with clients, colleagues and the community
• Self-awareness in professional communication
• The nature of effective helping as a health care professional
• Communicating in teams
• Working with people who have different communication needs
• Professional written and presentation communication skills.