The physical environment can influence the effectiveness of communication.

Purpose: The role of the physical environment in communication between health-care professionals and persons with communication problems is a neglected area. This study provides an overview of factors in the physical environment that play a role in communication during conversations between people who are communication vulnerable and health-care professionals.

Method: A scoping review was conducted using the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley. The PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases were screened, and a descriptive and thematic analysis was completed.

Results: Sixteen publications were included. Six factors in the physical environment play a role in conversations between people who are communication vulnerable and health-care professionals: (1) lighting, (2) acoustic environment, (3) humidity and temperature, (4) setting and furniture placement, (5) written information, and (6) availability of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools. These factors indicated barriers and strategies related to the quality of these conversations.

Conclusions: Relatively small and simple strategies to adjust the physical environment (such as adequate lighting, quiet environment, providing pen and paper) can support people who are communication vulnerable to be more involved in conversations. It is recommended that health-care professionals have an overall awareness of the potential influence of environmental elements on conversations. Implications for rehabilitation The physical environment is an important feature in the success or disturbance of communication. Small adjustments to the physical environment in rehabilitation can contribute to a communication-friendly environment for conversations with people who are communication vulnerable. Professionals should consider adjustments with regard to the following factors in the physical environment during conversations with people who are communication vulnerable: lighting, acoustic environment, humidity and temperature, setting and furniture placement, written information, and availability of AAC (augmentative and alternative communication tools).

Environmental connections can have both negative or positive or anyone effects on interpersonal communication. Some of the barriers to effective communication include time, noise, place, climate, poor lighting, long-distance barriers and visual noise.

For example, a conversation outside on a road during a windy or a rainy day faces obstacles in communication that might not be present in a living room.

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Whether it's apparent in obvious or subtle ways, the physical environment in your business workplace has an effect on the flow of communication. In addition to the setup and structure of the space, other factors invite or inhibit communication between you and your employees, from employee to employee and department to department.

Obstacles to Communication

1. Workplace privacy encourages focus and concentration, but too much of it can create an obstacle when it comes to office communication. If the door and blinds in your office are always closed, it sends the message that you are unable or uninterested in communicating. Reserve closing off your office for important, private meetings or those times when you absolutely cannot be interrupted. When communication isn't possible, select a manager or someone else to be the gatekeeper so employees feel they can go to someone should problems arise.

Furniture Placement for Group Work

1. During team meetings or company-wide presentations where you want to encourage employee participation, the furniture arrangement can help you do this or make it difficult. A round table allows employees to see and communicate with each other, whereas sitting in rows limits communication to the people in the immediate area. If you want to encourage employees to focus on your presentation, engage them in an open discussion afterward, use a V-shape, theater-style seating arrangement. To find the most effective furniture arrangement, determine what type of communication you want to encourage and discourage.

Noise in the Workplace

1. A breakdown in workplace communication can be related to noise levels. If your office space is above or next door to a business that runs heavy machinery, the noise can inhibit communication and productivity. Consider soundproofing wall, ceiling or floor materials for extremely loud levels of noise. Quieter noise levels that prove to be distracting can be blocked out with the use of white noise, such as your office heating and air conditioning or fan. Include employees in the discussion on how to solve the problem to find a solution that works for everyone.

Using Color

1. The color of the walls and decor in your workplace can affect communication in your office. Dismal and dreary work spaces painted in institutional colors such as white or gray can have a negative effect on employee morale. If your business focuses heavily on creative tasks, incorporate bold colors with paint, wall decor or other accents to raise the positive feeling of the room. Business office spaces can be improved with the use of muted colors. A workplace atmosphere that feels positive encourages productivity and communication, while contributing toward morale, too.

   How does physical environment affect communication?

   Some of the barriers to effective communication include time, noise, place, climate, poor lighting, long-distance barriers and visual noise. For example, a conversation outside on a road during a windy or a rainy day faces obstacles in communication that might not be present in a living room.

   Why is physical environment important in communication?

   Effective communication, concerning environmental contexts like location, depends on comfort. If someone is uncomfortable in their environment, communication might break down, which produces barriers to the effectiveness of the message and how it's received or delivered.

   How physical environment of an office can hinder effective communication?

   A breakdown in workplace communication can be related to noise levels. If your office space is above or next door to a business that runs heavy machinery, the noise can inhibit communication and productivity. Consider soundproofing wall, ceiling or floor materials for extremely loud levels of noise.

   What is physical environment?

   The physical environment is where individuals live, learn, work, and play. People interact with their physical environment through the air they breathe, water they drink, houses they live in, and the transportation they access to travel to work and school.