Effective problem solving and decision making

Face to face communication facilities effective problem solving and decision making
processes. Group discussions brainstorming sessions and meetings where participants
can interact directly are more conducive to gathering creative ideas, exploring various
perspectives and reaching consensus. The immediate exchange of thoughts and
opinions allows for a dynamic and collaborative problem solving environment.
Relationship building
Face to face communication is instrumental in building and strengthening
relationships, both personal and professional. Sharing physical space with others and
engaging in direct conversation deepens the level of connection and intimacy. It
enables people to build rapport, establish trust and develop a sense of comaredie that
often leads to long lasting relationships.
Practical examples of the benefits of Face to face communication include
i) Community Meetings
Organising community meetings provides an opportunity for directly engagement
with the community members. Interaction during these meetings allow for a more
personal and interactive exchange of information.
ii) Door to Door campaigns
EHPs often conduct door to door campaigns to raise awareness about specific issues.
This helps to provide educational materials and address any concerns or question in
real time.
iii) Workshops and Training
Conducting Face to face workshops and training sessions is an effective way to
educate community members. An EHP can offer demonstrations, answer questions
and ensure that the information is understood and applied correctly.
iv) School Presentations
Collaborating with schools to deliver face to face presentations is an effective way to
reach both students and their parents. By engaging directly with students and parents
an environmental health practitioner can promote behavour changes that positively
impact the community`s health.
While face to face communication has its advantages, it is important to note that
remote communication methods have their own benefits and are sometimes necessary
due to geographical constraints or unforeseen circumstances. The choice between face
to face and remote communication depends on the specific context and requirements
of the situation.

References
Gottman, J.M. & Levenson, R.W. (1992). Marital process predictive of later
dissolation
Hall, E.T. (1959). The silent language
McMillian, D.W. & Chavis, D.M. (1986) Sense of community: A definition and
theory
Mehrabian, A. (1979). The Gutenberg Galaxy: The making of Typographic man.
Watzlawick, P. (1978). The interactional view: Studies in the psychology of
interpersonal communication
Myers, G.F. & Newman, C.M. (2007). Relational communication and conflict
Tannen, D. (1978). You just don`t understand women and men in conversation.
Turkle, S. (2011). Alone together: Why we expect more from Technology and less
from each other.
As an environmental health practitioner working with the community, efffective
communication is crucial for successful carrying out my daily duties. To best explain
the communication process, I have used the diagram below.

SENDER EHT

ENCODING

FE MESSAGE
E
D
B
A CHANNEL
C
K

RECEIVER

DECODING