Advanced communication skills training for senior clinicians

Abstract

Effective communication skills are important for patient care, and patients and their families value good communication highly. But in practice communication is sometimes poor, leading to frustration, despair, strained doctor-patient relationships, and complaints. So, to improve communication skills a national programme was set up in accordance with the NHS cancer plan (2000), reinforced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on supportive and palliative care (2004). It is a learner centred course for training in advanced communication skills. It includes workshops that entail role play and feedback. The main aim is to improve communication skills and to learn how to be an effective communicator. …