DSRS1210 Interpersonal and Group Skills

2016

4.5

1 x 50-minute lecture weekly
1 x 90-minute workshop weekly

HLTH1304 has been successfully completed

Assignment; Simulation tasks; Structured group activities.

Human service and disability professionals practice in a complex environment where high levels of communication are required between colleagues, clients, and the community. This topic allows students to explore the foundations of personal and professional communication, and apply their understanding to a range of human service, health care and disability settings. This topic focuses on understanding the self in communication and explores the foundations of effective communication skills with an emphasis on perception, listening skills and verbal and non-verbal communication. It also focuses on roles and tasks necessary to maintain a group and promote teamwork. Emphasis is placed on using group and organisational theories in order to communicate with and act as an advocate for health service consumers and people with disabilities. The relevance of communication skills for Interprofessional Practice will also be introduced.

This topic aims to:

• develop basic communication skills necessary for effective communication in a variety of health care and human service settings

• outline factors contributing to the development of effective verbal and nonverbal interpersonal communication skills

• explore individual values and self-reflective strategies in the context of personal and professional communication including working in groups

• discuss and identify factors that negatively impact upon effective personal and working relationships

• investigate the theory related to the evolution of interpersonal relationships, groups and teamwork and discuss personal and professional examples

• introduce and discuss decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution theory in the context of inter-personal, interprofessional and group communications

• explore considerations when adapting communication that is sensitive to cultural diversity including Indigenous peoples, age, gender and varied abilities

• discuss issues involved with alternate forms of communication including video-conferencing, phone, email and interpreting services.

On completion of this topic, students must demonstrate they can:

• articulate their understanding and application of interpersonal communication skills in practical and theoretical ways

• take responsibility for and demonstrate their own learning through active participation in a range of individual and group activities

• discuss the relevance and application of effective interpersonal communication skills to current and/or future practical work in the human services

• describe a group in terms of the theory of group dynamics

• participate as a member of a small group to develop, prepare and present a team presentation

• present personal reflections and insights in relation to interpersonal and small group experience

• present constructive and sensitive feedback to another person in a one-to-one and group setting involving their performance, their roles and their impact on the dynamics of the group

• describe the practical and professional application of various methods of communication taking into consideration personal, cultural and environmental factors

• describe the pros and cons of alternate methods of communication in relation to individual need and consider cognitive, physical, emotional and sensory ability