Which components are included under the determinant 'Communication Skills of Healthcare Professionals'?

• A. Literacy skills
• B. All of the above
• C. Oral communication skills
• D. Comprehension

Answer: (B)

Effective healthcare communication relies on a blend of skills: reading and writing (literacy), spoken interaction (oral communication), and understanding the information exchanged (comprehension). Literacy lets you interpret patient records, consent forms, and instructions; oral communication allows you to explain plans, listen to patient concerns, and collaborate with the team; and comprehension ensures patients and families truly understand the information and instructions, which you can verify with checks like teach-back. When you combine these elements, you cover the full range of how professionals convey, interpret, and confirm information, which is why the option that includes all of these components best fits the determinant. Focusing on just one aspect—literacy or oral skills or comprehension—misses another essential piece of effective communication.