NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN A HOME CARE SERVICE

Abstract

Objective: To understand, through body language, how healthcare professionals from a home care service use nonverbal communication in their interpersonal relationships and understand how they interpret the nonverbal signals manifested in these relationships. Material and Method: Qualitative case study carried out from July 2019 to January 2020. The data collection techniques used were participant observation,
field diary and focus group; the sample was intentional and closed by attrition. It included 10 healthcare
professionals working in the home care service, in the south of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The data
were subjected to thematic content analysis proposed by Minayo. Results: The analysis revealed two major themes: 1) Nonverbal communication as a means of maintaining and demonstrating power and, 2) The quality of interpersonal relationships depends on knowledge and skills in nonverbal communication. Conclusions: The inability to communicate nonverbally leads to the misinterpretation of body signals, which negatively affects interpersonal relationships. Therefore, it is suggested to reassess how communication has been taught and underutilized by healthcare professionals and how the development of this competence can become a valuable and positive work tool. By developing this competence, professionals can gather real information about the behavior of others and better understand it, which can contribute to more effective team interactions and ultimately improve the quality of care provided.