What I learned most.....

I have taken a little bit of everything from the information we have learned in class.  This class has made me more aware of subtle effects in a lot of different areas of my communication.  For me, that has been more helpful than having one BIG moment, and far more life changing.  What does strike me the most from what I have learned was probably regarding internal dialogue.  It has made me realize that whatever is going on in my head is noticed by others and they may react from that.  That can also be a domino effect with the social mirror.  If I have stress or issues that are being reflected, my mood can effect the way others feel, think or act.  I always believed that people should control their own mood, but now I see that being part of a positive environment can help people in small, but significant ways as it can change their whole mindset.  I was not aware that I had that much power over others, and that they have that much power over me.  It has encouraged me to be more thoughtful in my approach and what I am presenting.  Thank you!

How Can One Question Change the World?

"We seem to be having a problem between us, but I'd like to find a mutually beneficial situation.  Will you help me?"  It seems pretty simple, and a phrase most would find fairly innocuous and rational.  But, that may be the problem, as conflicts are rarely based in reason.  When having conflict, the ideal situation would be to look at the facts of the situation and both parties sit down and make a reasonable agreement on how to handle it.  Unfortunately, emotions, pride, anger and feelings of entitlement get in the way.  Having a plan in advance that allows you to continually be the resolver in a situation will get you further in life than you would think.  Imagine the power a person could have if, throughout their life, they continually were able to resolve any conflicts with never-ending "tics" in the "win-win" column.  Being able to read people well enough to phrase the communication to achieve desired results is a strength.  But adding the phrase and ultimate question, "We seem to be having a problem between us, but I'd like to find a mutually beneficial situation.  Will you help me?" seems to be the way to ensure that ALL parties are getting the desired result.  And getting both sides to feel as if they have won is a truly powerful gift.

Speech Topic

I have decided to speak on the five stages of grief.  These stages were originally identified by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in her 1969 book "On Death and Dying".  Originally, these stages were used to describe the feelings of terminally ill or elderly patients when dealing with their own death.  Through the years, this has expanded to include dealing with the death of others and also has gained favor in identifying stages many people go through in far less serious trauma's such as work, health and relationship issues.  These five stages have been revised, challenged, and criticized, but still remain the most recognized theory in the study of bereavement.

How Words Can Be Misunderstood

"If there is any great secret of success in life, it lies in the ability to put yourself in the other person's place and to see things from his point of view - as well as your own." ~Henry Ford

While working in in the medical field, the art of communication is put to use on a regular basis.   There is often little time to construct what is needing to be said at that moment in time.  Therefore, being brief and to the point is critical.  While in the midst of a medical crisis, giving family members information is not only considerate, but is often needed for permission to treat the patient.   Consent for treatment must be given by the patient or the responsible party prior to any life saving interventions.  

While in school, we are taught to use the correct medical terminology to describe a procedure.  We are also expected to use that terminology when giving reports to the physicians and also on our paperwork, as it becomes a legal document.  That, however, may prove to be confusing for a patient or family member when asking permission to perform a particular intervention.  Many people are familiar with an intravenous catheter being placed in their body, but are unaware that they've seen it because they are unfamiliar with the terminology until you say "I.V." or "putting a needle in the arm to give fluids" and visually showing the patient or family what it looks like.  Because of the large audience television has for medical shows, much of the population have seen tracheal intubation done on television, but have no idea what it actually is.  So, when faced with a family member that is in respiratory or cardiac arrest, and the patient needs to have a tracheal intubation with oxygen supplementation, chest compressions performed, and an intravenous catheter placed for administration of cardiac medications, many people are unable to give educated consent as these words are medical jargon that they are unfamiliar with.


The role of the medical provider is to speak in terms that the average person can understand, while also being concise and efficient as time is often of a critical nature.  It is important to be able to assess the understanding of the patient or family members and adjust the explanations to fit each individual so that the consent given is accurate and informed.  The words a medical provider uses can easily become a matter of life or death for a patient, and all providers need to be aware of the power the choice of the words used can have.

Expectations/Success in Class

My expectations prior to class starting was to practice speaking in public to alleviate nerves.  My only expectation now is to get through this class with a fair grade, reflective of the work I put in.  I feel that communication should not be limited to what is popular or only be represented as "likeability" as the end goal.  People come with different ideals, beliefs and life experience and I would like to feel like my voice was heard and respected while in class. I would also like to learn more about my classmates and what type of message they would like the world to hear.  Oh, and I always think learning in this type of class should be fun.  I like to laugh and get to know people, and I feel that this type of class is appropriate for that.