Step 1 Choose a communication error you have experienced or witnessed.
Think about a situation in which there was less than optimal communication between staff in two or more disciplines (changing names when appropriate).
Step 2 Post your response to the discussion board.
Respond to the following questions as related to the communication error:
What parties were involved in the discussion? Give a brief description of the role they played.
What communication technique or techniques were used to communicate with all the people involved?
How could the lapse in communication have been prevented? (Include communication techniques, interdisciplinary roles, negotiation, and other factors.)
What punishment was involved, and how could that communication have been more collaborative among the different professionals?
What steps has your workplace taken to improve communication between different professions to prevent future errors?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Impact of Communication Errors in Interdisciplinary Settings
Introduction:
Effective communication is crucial in any professional setting, particularly in interdisciplinary environments where collaboration and teamwork are essential. This essay explores the consequences of communication errors between staff members from different disciplines and provides recommendations on how to prevent such lapses. By examining the parties involved, communication techniques used, prevention strategies, collaborative approaches, and workplace initiatives, we can better understand the importance of effective communication in interdisciplinary settings.
Thesis Statement:
Communication errors between staff members in interdisciplinary settings can lead to negative outcomes, such as reduced efficiency, compromised patient care, and strained professional relationships. However, by implementing proactive communication techniques, fostering interdisciplinary roles, encouraging negotiation, and promoting collaboration, these lapses can be mitigated.
Parties Involved:
In this scenario, the parties involved were healthcare professionals from different disciplines, namely doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Each party played a crucial role in providing comprehensive patient care. Doctors were responsible for diagnosing and prescribing treatment plans, nurses for administering medication and monitoring patients, and pharmacists for dispensing medication and ensuring its safe use.
Communication Techniques:
The communication techniques employed among these parties varied. Doctors primarily relied on written orders or direct verbal instructions to nurses. Nurses then conveyed these instructions to pharmacists verbally or through electronic systems. Pharmacists relied on the accuracy of these instructions to dispense medication correctly.
Prevention of Communication Lapses:
To prevent communication lapses, several strategies can be implemented. First and foremost, clear and concise written orders from doctors can eliminate ambiguity and decrease the likelihood of miscommunication. Additionally, incorporating interdisciplinary rounds or meetings where doctors, nurses, and pharmacists can discuss patient care together can promote collaboration and enable real-time clarification of any doubts or concerns. Utilizing electronic health records that are accessible to all parties involved can also enhance communication efficiency.
Collaborative Approaches:
Punishment should not be the focus when addressing communication errors; instead, a collaborative approach should be adopted. When errors occur, it is essential to encourage open dialogue among professionals to identify the root cause. By fostering a blame-free culture and promoting active listening and empathy, healthcare professionals can work together to find solutions and prevent similar errors from occurring in the future.
Workplace Initiatives:
To improve communication between different professions and prevent future errors, workplaces can implement various initiatives. Interdisciplinary training programs and workshops can be organized to enhance understanding and appreciation for each profession’s roles and responsibilities. The introduction of shared decision-making models can facilitate effective communication and collaboration. Furthermore, the utilization of technology, such as mobile applications or platforms dedicated to interdisciplinary communication, can streamline information exchange and reduce the risk of communication errors.
Conclusion:
Communication errors in interdisciplinary settings have significant implications for patient care and professional relationships. By implementing proactive communication techniques, fostering interdisciplinary roles, encouraging negotiation, and promoting collaboration, these lapses can be mitigated. Workplace initiatives aimed at improving communication between different professions are instrumental in preventing future errors. By prioritizing effective communication in interdisciplinary settings, healthcare professionals can provide safer and more efficient care to their patients while cultivating a positive work environment.
