Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)
What do I need to be able to do?
Understand and respond to verbal communication.
This will assist you when participating in tutorial discussions and practicing your professional communication during practical classes.
Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.
On professional experience placement, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, patients, supervisors and other health professionals.
Clear communication assists with completing your professional experience placement tasks safely.
What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?
A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.
Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.
Professional experience placement activities will require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.
Social communication
Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking.
What do I need to be able to do?
Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and professional experience placement settings to build relationships, assess patients and provide treatment.
During professional experience placement, tasks which require social communication abilities include:
- Responding to patients with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding and empathy
- Interpreting patients’ non-verbal communication, such as identifying that a patient is uncomfortable or in pain from their facial expression or body posture
What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?
A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.
Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.