Le May (2014) defines communication as the ability to transfer information using verbal, non-verbal or written from one person to another with understanding. Effective communication is vital to all health care professionals’, especially those …show more content…
This is important to understand, as patients will have a unique approach specific to them and according to Argyle (2013), the use of interpersonal communication skills is imperative as body language makes up 35% of the way an interaction with a patient is perceived and 7% of actual words spoken are accounted for. Verbal communication is the language and words appropriate to the patient. Para-verbal is the tone of voice, pitch and speed. Non-verbal is eye contact, body language, posture and facial expressions. Egan (1975) developed the acronym SOLER (Appendix B) which is beneficial when encountering a patient by implementing positive non-verbal communication Conversely, Stickley (2011) argues that SOLER is outdated and that a new acronym SURETY (Appendix C) helps nurse educators teach empathic skills for non-verbal