Communication Skills Syllabus
Assessment of candidates:
- Exhibit sensitivity to needs to individual patient / relative during consultation
- Treat with respect and courtesy
- Establish rapport - demonstrate clear, honest and empathetic communication
- Taking into account ethnicity, cultural, age and disability factors
- Responding appropriately to verbal and non-verbal cues given by the patient
- Taking a holistic approach to the patient and / or relatives
- Listen to patients account
- Exhibit a professional approach to a situation
- Dealing the a variety of emotional ersponses by the patient and relatives
- Dealing with a variety of pre-existing emotional states on the part of the aptient and / or relatives
- DEaling with patients / relatives from a wide variety of cultural / religious backgrounds and ethnic backgrounds
- Dealing appropriately with questions and istuations that are beyond the level of competence of the candiciate
- Dealing with time constraints
- Dealing with complaints appropriately
- Demonstrate ability to communicate accurate information in an appropriate manner to patients and/or relatives in typical clinical situations such as
- Obtaining informed consent
- Breaking bad news
- Explain risk/benefits and possible impact of investigations in the context of clinical situation
- Explaining diagnosis or differential diagnosis
- Explain options available and option not to treat
- Explain uncertain diagnosis, outcome or prognosis
- Explain opportunities available for further information including a second opinion
- Involving thje patient in dicision maiing to the level that they wish
- Checking for understanding and summarising at appropriate intervals
- Using feedback to regulate pace and content of consultation
- Ability to obtain foccussed medical history
- Brief history from patient in OPD / ward
- Consultation with relative of patient
- Ability to convey appropriate information to colleagues and other healthcare professionals in an appropriate manner
- Verbal communications
- Written communications
- Investigation request forms
- Clinical letters to medical colleagues
- Telephone communication
- Ability to use background information and that gathered during a consultation to formuate an appropriate response
- Discussion of managment plan
- Ability to summarise information appropriately
