Chapter 1: Foundations for Understanding Communication in Health Studies

Communication has been called the most practical of academic courses and health disciplines. Although you may never have taken a communication studies course, you have a lifetime of experience communicating. This experiential knowledge provides a foundation and a starting point from which you can build the knowledge and practice the skills necessary to become a more competent, ethical communicator within your given health profession. You are a communication scholar, and we are pleased to welcome you to start your professional communication journey. Whether you stay on this path for a semester or for much longer, studying interpersonal communication has the potential to enrich your personal and professional lives in many ways. In this chapter, we will explore communication theories, principles, strategies to achieve communication competence, and principles of professional communication.