P2 and M1 – discuss theories of communication. Assess the usefulness of theories of
communication within a health and social care environment
Introduction
I will be discussing two theories, these will be the SOLER communication theory by
Gerald Egan as well as Tuckman’s stages of group interaction.
SOLER communication theory
SOLER is an acronym which was made while Gerald Egan was developing a theory of
communication, it therefore has five stages. SOLER is often used in a health and
social setting to guide practitioners who happen to work with individuals who are
vulnerable. For example if a health and social care practitioner was to work with
someone who happened to have a disability or an impairment, SOLER would ensure
that the service user felt comfortable and would be more likely to elaborate on their
concerns. SOLER stands for
S – Sit attentively at an angle.
It is incredibly important to sit at an angle to the service user as it means you can
look at the person directly and it shows is also shows that the practitioner is listening
to the person who sits beside them as well as “conveying interest”. 1 For example, it is
very important that a doctor sits attentively towards a patient to show interest and
concern. This makes the patient feel like they are important and they would feel
valued as they aren’t being ignored.
O – Open posture
It is very important for a practitioner to have open posture, as it gives signals to the
service user, if the practitioners arms are folded then the service user may feel
anxious as they may think that the practitioner isn’t interested and feels quite bored.
Whereas if the practitioner has open posture people will tend to be more inclined to
give more details on their concerns.2 A doctor should always have good posture as it
shows patients and colleagues they are happy to be there, it also makes patients
1 OCR Health and Social Care Level 3 book
2 OCR Health and Social Care Level 3 book
communication within a health and social care environment
Introduction
I will be discussing two theories, these will be the SOLER communication theory by
Gerald Egan as well as Tuckman’s stages of group interaction.
SOLER communication theory
SOLER is an acronym which was made while Gerald Egan was developing a theory of
communication, it therefore has five stages. SOLER is often used in a health and
social setting to guide practitioners who happen to work with individuals who are
vulnerable. For example if a health and social care practitioner was to work with
someone who happened to have a disability or an impairment, SOLER would ensure
that the service user felt comfortable and would be more likely to elaborate on their
concerns. SOLER stands for
S – Sit attentively at an angle.
It is incredibly important to sit at an angle to the service user as it means you can
look at the person directly and it shows is also shows that the practitioner is listening
to the person who sits beside them as well as “conveying interest”. 1 For example, it is
very important that a doctor sits attentively towards a patient to show interest and
concern. This makes the patient feel like they are important and they would feel
valued as they aren’t being ignored.
O – Open posture
It is very important for a practitioner to have open posture, as it gives signals to the
service user, if the practitioners arms are folded then the service user may feel
anxious as they may think that the practitioner isn’t interested and feels quite bored.
Whereas if the practitioner has open posture people will tend to be more inclined to
give more details on their concerns.2 A doctor should always have good posture as it
shows patients and colleagues they are happy to be there, it also makes patients
1 OCR Health and Social Care Level 3 book
2 OCR Health and Social Care Level 3 book
