Communication Skills Syllabus

Assessment of candidates:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Ability to obtain foccussed medical history
    • Brief history from patient in OPD / ward
    • Consultation with relative of patient
  5. 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
  6. 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