Training physicians in the core competencies of communication
Comprehensive Communications ProgramComprehensive Communication Skills Program
Most training in physician communications is derived from a skill-based perspective: Learning the “rules” of “good communication.” But skill-based training alone does not address the complexity of how we interact in difficult and challenging situations. There are many elements to how well we communicate. Salient among them is Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness, Active Listening Skills, etc. Among the most important and often neglected aspect of “good” communication is person-centered or patient-centered communications. Person-centered communication refers to long-standing reflexive differences from each other in how we think, feel, and decide about what and how we are going to communicate to others. All of us differ by degree in the natural manner in which we communicate. Research refers to these differences as one’s Communication Style. Often different communication styles go unrecognized and can lead to the common misperception that everyone thinks and decides like we do, and should therefore understand what we are saying or what we need. This bias can lead to blockages in the exchange and transfer of knowledge as well as unnecessary conflict between individuals, doctors and patients, and clinical team members
Comprehensive Communication Skills Program
The Comprehensive Communications Program seeks to train physicians in the core competencies of communication using principles grounded in the science of relational psychology. These principles allow for a broad, easily applied understanding and utilization of the same interpersonal framework used for training psychologists in creating effective treatment alliances between doctors and patients, team communications, providing feedback, and the effective management of defensiveness and aggressiveness in others. This course can be delivered to individuals in need of assistance, multidiscipline team members, and administrative staff. Topics covered in this training include evidence-based practices such as using Emotional Intelligence, Active Listening Skills, Communication Style Differences, and a host of other solidly established techniques and easily applied tools.
Physician-Centered & Patient-Centered Communications
Communications is a foundational component of effective relations with patients, families, and all disciplines in the workplace. “Communications/Interpersonal Skills” is a core competency of the ACGME requirements, and it is highly intercorrelated with all of the remaining competencies necessary for optimal physician performance, patient outcomes, and patient satisfaction scores. Communication skills deficits typically occur when we lack awareness of the varied ways in which patients take in and convey thoughts, feelings, and information. Communication problems in a physician can broadly impact overall performance. Quality communications is also an important moderator of stress and well-being, as well as career satisfaction. The Physician-Centered & Patient-Centered Communications training addresses all of these areas
Teaching and Mentoring Programs
Teaching Styles and Learning Styles
The Teaching and Learning Styles training incorporates an understanding and application of personality-based differences in the transfer of knowledge between teacher and student. It is not unusual for educators to rely on teaching others through the lens of their own learning experiences. And while this can be helpful and facilitative, it can also lead to neglect of optimizing learning through presenting information with a focus on different learning styles. The goal of this training is to help educators reach a larger audience in terms of varied learning needs.
Resident as Teacher
The Resident as Teacher Training focuses on the role residents take on in the education of junior residents, medical students, patients, and families. This training focuses on proven practices in the mentoring and learning intervention of students and junior residents as well as providing accurate, timely, and actionable feedback and evaluation.