WIT: Film Analysis
PART 1:
Communication in simple is the act or transferring information from one place to another. Although it is simply explained it is actually a complex process involving three main types; verbal, non-verbal and written (Skillsyouneed, 2018). Communication can also be defined as effective and ineffective communication which will both be looked at in part 1 of this assignment. Effective communication helps to keep motivation levels up, critical in decision making and makes a healthier environment for staff, leaders and patients in health care (Kart, 2013). Ineffective communication in the work place can lead to poor performance, lack of teamwork, can create conflict and can cause mistakes from mild, with little to no consequences to extreme and can go as far as even death (McQuerrey, 2018).
The 2001 movie ‘Wit’ directed by Mike Nichols is based on a play written by Margaret Edson. The play follows the main character Vivian Bearing an english professor who has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, as she is treated for the condition through the hospital. Two other main characters are used throughout the movie; Dr Jason Posner who was a former student of Vivian and nurse Susie Monahan who looks after and cares for Vivian. As we watch the film it is clear that there is little effective communication and there is both effective and ineffective communication within this film. There are many examples from the film that could be analysed for this task but only two examples will be used demonstrating both effective and ineffective communication.
The first example of communication that will be looked at in the movie ‘Wit’, is in the Friday morning grand rounds where Dr Kelekian (Vivian’s main doctor) comes in to check on her condition and to see how the treatment is going. Dr Kelekian comes through the door with Dr Posner and three other possible medical interns or doctors. This scene is important as it shows bad/ineffective communication. One of the biggest noticeable factors is after they all come into the room they stand around Vivian and ask her “how are you feeling today?” this phrase is used throughout the film as more of a robotic tendency and effects safety and quality in the work place. This phrase is offend used in the healthcare system and can seem disempowering and disengaging to the patients or clients. In the film this greeting was used in every scene where Vivian was receiving a check-up. In some cases this was said at the beginning as an introduction but in several scenes it was said right at the end or as the doctor has left the room, this makes the patient feel disempowered and makes it seem like the doctor doesn’t actually care for the patient at all. Another problem at least in this film is that the patient was clearly not feeling good but still gives the expected response making the whole thing pointless. Another problem in this scene is that as soon as they said “how are you today” Dr Posner went over to...
