Importance of Verbal and Written Instructions
Communication Between Others
Doctors, student, salesmen, cooks, police officers, teachers. it doesn't matter who you are, you will need to interpret instructions both written and verbally communicated. While attending Penn College, I have to be well versed in understanding each of my teacher's instructions in order to complete assignments, tests, and other objectives. Each instructor has their own way of communicating their assignments. Some teachers post on the class site their assignments which each student needs to interpret the standard which needs to be met. Other teachers will inform the students verbally on assignments. The way the student's complete assignments are based on how well the student interpreted the instructions. 
Written and Verbal Information
After reading a short article on the Cochrane library on Written and verbal information, compared to verbal information, I have a better understanding for why hospitals inform patients with both physical instruction and written instruction before they are discharged from medical care. This article is written in relation to the instructions given to parents who are caring for children.
This article was written in 2003 but I feel the information found is still relatable today. "When people are discharged from hospital, they and/or their carers are given information on how to manage care effectively at home. Hospital staff usually explain what is required verbally and may also give written, or even video-taped, information." (Johnson A, 2003). The importance for the multiple forms of information is because after leaving the hospital, you will be on your own for care. Yes, you can always call your doctor or seek medical attention, but the importance of receiving that information is you the parents to be able to conduct the care at home.
Johnson wrote, "Parents had a better understanding of the care needed when given both written and verbal instructions, rather than verbal instructions alone" (Johnson A, 2003). Having the written instructions will help those parents with additional guidance after being discharged from the hospital.
As stated by the author," The combination of verbal and written health information enables the provision of standardised care information to patients and/or significant others, which appears to improve knowledge and satisfaction" (Johnson A, 2003). Both written and verbal instructions are given to patients to give them a peace of mind along with instructions based on what their provider communicated to their patients.
Summary
The importance of instructions are how well they are interpreted by the consumer. In each profession you will need to be able to receive information and or create information that needs to be communicated to others. How well the actions are performed are based on how well they are communicated. This can relate in any field/ profession.
Remember this!
As a student at Penn College, we are required to communicate with our teachers as they are to their students. Assignments will reflect on how well instructions are communicated to students. Being clear, concise, accurate will reflect on the outcome of assignments.
Final Question
Why do you feel verbal and written information is important when given a set of instructions? Does this apply to your career? What is your thoughts on why instruction is important to be given in multiple forms based on this Cochrane Library article?
References
Johnson A, S. J. (2003, October 20). Written and
verbal information, compared to verbal information only, for people being
discharged from hospital. Retrieved from Cochrane:
https://www.cochrane.org/CD003716/COMMUN_written-and-verbal-information-compared-to-verbal-information-only-for-people-being-discharged-from-hospital
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