Lecture 5 Communicating in Groups PDF

# Chapter (8) Communicating in Groups ## Objectives Upon completion of this session, you should be able to: 1. Define group communication in health care 2. Identify the characteristics of small group communication 3. Identify theory-based concepts related to small group dynamics. 4. Apply group c...

# Chapter (8) Communicating in Groups ## Objectives Upon completion of this session, you should be able to: 1. Define group communication in health care 2. Identify the characteristics of small group communication 3. Identify theory-based concepts related to small group dynamics. 4. Apply group concepts in clinical and work. 5. Compare and contrast different types of therapeutic groups. ## Characteristics of Small Group ### Definition of Group A group is defined as "a human communication system composed of three or more individuals, interacting for the achievement of some common goal (s) who influence and are influenced by each other" (Rothwell,2013, p.36). ### Category of Groups - **a) Primary groups:** Formed early in life, has informal structure and close personal relationships. - They have lifelong influence on self-identity and social behaviors. - Group membership is automatic (e.g., in a family) voluntarily chosen because of common interest (e.g., long-term friendship), and no end dates. - **b) Secondary groups:** - Represent less personalized, time-limited relationships with an established beginning and an end. - They have a prescribed formal structure, a designated leader, and specific goals (Ex. Committee, Oman Cancer Association). - When the group completes its task or achieves its goal, the group ends. - People join the group to meet personally established goals, to develop knowledge and skills. ## Group Communication in Health Care - Counseling and therapy groups - Psychoeducation - Work groups - Interprofessional clinical team functioning ## Group Communication in Nursing: - Working together in clinical groups - Completing group projects - Reflective experiential learning - Clinical simulation, clinical scenarios ## Characteristics of Small Group Communication ### (1) Group Purpose - Reason for group's existence - Direction for group's decisions - Influences the type of communication and activities required to meet group goals. - Example: Group therapy - to improve interpersonal functioning and behavior ### (2) Group Goals - Benchmarks to achieve expected therapeutic outcomes - Essential to match group goals with client needs and characteristics and group members' skills and expertise. - Goals need to be achievable, measurable, and within the capabilities of group membership. ### (3) Group Size - It depends on the group purpose. - Client-centered therapeutic groups consist of 6 to 8 members. - Education -focused groups, (medication, psychoeducation, diagnosis, skill training, and treatment groups) can have 10 or more members. ### (4) Group Member Composition - Must be based on a person's capacity to derive benefit from the group and contribute to group goals. - Functional similarity (choosing group members similar in their intellectual, emotional and experience level to interact with each other in a meaningful way) produces higher level of group performance and member satisfaction. ### (5) Group Norms - Norms: unwritten behavioral rules of conduct expected of group members. - Effective group functioning and make the group safe for its members. - **Two types of norms are:** - **Universal norms:** Behavioral standards: e.g. confidentiality, regular attendance - **Group - specific norms:** Represent the shared beliefs, values and unspoken operational rules governing groups functions. E.g. tolerance for lateness, use of humor ### (6) Group Role Position - A group member's role depend on the status (esteem or respect), power, and internal image that the other members in the group have of the member. - Group members assume, and /or are given roles that influence their communication and the responses of others. ### ( 7) Group Dynamics - Communication processes and behaviors occurring during the life of a group. - Complex combination of individual and group characteristics that interact with each other to achieve a group purpose. ## Group Dynamics | Individual Dynamics | Interpersonal Dynamics | Group Dynamics | | ------------------ | ------------------------ | --------------- | | Member variables | Group Communication Variables | | | Motivation | Clarifying | Purpose | | Functional | Reflecting | Norms | | Similarity | Paraphrasing | Role functions | | Previous | Summarizing | Cohesiveness | | Experiences | | Decision styles | | Culture | | | | Competencies | | | ### (8) Group Process - Structural development of small group relationships. - Most commonly used framework is the Bruce Tuckman's 5 stage model of small group development (forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning) - It describes the structural development and **relationship** process of small groups. <start_of_image> diagram: **Bruce Tuckman's 5 stage model** * [Insert Diagram]: A diagram showing the 5 stages in a circle. Forming is at the 12 o'clock position, then storming is at the 3 o'clock position, norming is at the 6 o'clock position, performing is at the 9 o'clock position, and adjourning is at the top. * Refer to Page 135 (Forming-Adjourning) ## Group Leadership - Effective leadership behavior requires: - Adequate knowledge of the topic preparation, - Professional attitudes and behavior, - Responsible selection of members - An evidence-based approach. - Personal characteristics of the leader: - Committed to the group purpose - Self aware of personal biases and interpersonal limitations - Careful preparation for and with the group - Open attitude towards group members - The leader should model attitudes of caring, objectivity and integrity and be a good listener. - Leaders should adapt their leadership styles to fit changing needs. - Leaders should trust group members to work through conflict and difficult situations. Mistakes can be used to promote growth. - Power is given to members who best clarify needs of other group members or who move the group towards the goal. They may not be the ones who talk the most. ## Group Leadership Styles ### Authoritarian leadership - Leaders take full responsibility for group direction and control group interaction. - Works best when the group needs a strong structure to function and there is limited time to reach a decision. ### Democratic leadership - It is form of participative leadership, which involves members in active discussion and shared decision making. - Leaders are goal directed but flexible. - They offer members a functional structure while preserving individual member autonomy ### Laissez-faire leadership - A disengaged form of leadership. - The leader avoids making decisions and is minimally present emotionally or otherwise in a group even in crisis situations. - Groups with Laissez-faire leadership are likely to be less productive and satisfying to group members. ### Co-leadership - Represent a form of shared leadership - Found primarily in therapy and support group - Problems can arise when co-leaders have different theoretical orientation or are competitive with each other. - Co leaders should spend preparation time together prior to meeting with the therapy group to ensure personal compatibility. ## Types of Therapeutic Groups ### 1. Therapeutic Activity Groups - Occupational therapy groups allow clients to work on individual projects or participate with others in learning life skills. (e.g., cooking, artwork, making ceramics, or ADL groups) - Recreational therapy groups offer opportunities to engage in leisure activities while learning life skills. - Exercise or movement therapy groups allow clients to engage in structured exercise; works well with chronically mental ill clients and the elderly. ### 2. Self-help & Support Groups - Provide emotional and practical support to clients and families experiencing chronic illness, crises, or the ill health of a family member. They are led informally by group members rather than a professional; a health professional acts sometimes as an adviser. (e.g., peer support group) - Voluntary group designed to provide peer support. - Often associated with hospitals, clinic and national health organization. - Criteria for membership is having a particular medical condition (e.g., cancer) or being a support person (family of an Alzheimer victim) ### 2. Educational Groups - Educational groups are time-limited group applications - Family education groups provide families of clients with the knowledge and skills they need to care for their loved ones. - Primary prevention groups: childbirth education, parenting, stress reduction - Medication groups - offer clients and families effective ways to carry out a therapeutic medication regimen, while learning about a particular disorder. ### 2. Focus Groups A focus group is "a group of people who have personal experience of a topic of interest and who meet to discuss their perceptions and perspectives on that topic". Focus groups are used to obtain feedback about important social and health issues. Focus groups allow qualitative researchers to "see the world from the participants' perspectives.” ### 2. Discussion Groups - Careful preparation, formulation of relevant questions, and use of feedback ensure that personal learning needs are met. - The topics include prepared data and group-generated material, which is discussed in the group. - Before the end of each meeting, the leader or group member summarizes the major themes developed from the content material. - It is expected of the group to participate on an equal basis. - "Social loafing" is the term used when individual group members fail to do their part of work and skip or come late to the group meetings. ## Reading Requirements - Elements of Successful Discussion Groups, Table 8-4, page 144. - Characteristics of effective and ineffective work groups in Table 8-5 on p. 146 in your textbook. ## Questions [Insert a picture of a bunch of question marks]: A picture of many question marks on a gray background.