Synopsis

Interpersonal communication in health and social care services is by its nature diverse. As a consequence, achieving good or effective communication ? whether between service providers and service users, or among those working in a service ? means taking account of diversity, rather than assuming that every interaction will be the same. This unit explores the ways in which difference and diversity impact on the nature of communication in health and social care services.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Learning outcomes
1. Introducing diversity and difference
2.1 A communication ‘problem’?
2.2 Analysing communication problems
2.3 Ways of understanding ‘difference’
2.3.1 An essentialist perspective
2.4 The social construction of ‘difference’
2.5 ‘Difference’ and identity
2.6 Reflecting on identity
2.7.1 Identities are plural
2.7.2 Identities are dynamic
2.7.3 Identities have different and changing meanings
2.7.4 Identities are contextual and interactional
2.7.5 Identities are negotiated
2.8 ‘Difference’, power and discrimination
2.9 Experiencing prejudice and discrimination
3.1 ‘Race’, ethnicity and communication
3.2 ‘Race’
3.3 Ethnicity
3.4 Describing your ethnicity
3.5 Ethnic categories
3.6 ‘Racialisation’ and racism
3.7 The process of 'racialisation'
3.8 The impact of 'racialisation'
3.9 Being on the receiving end
3.10 Working with difference
3.11 Ethnic matching
3.12 Services for inter-ethnic communications
3.13 Employing interpreters and link workers in health and social care
3.14 Challenging racism
3.15 Exploring anti-oppressive practice
4.1 Thinking about gender
4.2 Talking about gender
4.3 Reflecting on gender and identity
4.4 Where does gender come from?
4.5 Gender and power
4.6 Gender and power in the workplace
4.7 Gender and power in helping relationships
4.8 Gender and difference
4.9 The revival of gender essentialism
4.10 Men and women communicating differently?
4.11 Critiquing gender essentialism
4.12 The implications of gender differences in communication
4.13 Gender and parenting
4.14 Changing fatherhood identities
5.1 What is disability?
5.2 Technologies of help?
5.3 Disability and communication
5.4 The politics of disability
6. Conclusion
Next steps
References
Acknowledgements

 

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