Teaching and Learning Communication Skills
Teaching Communication Skills Videos
The Crisis of Cancer - Four cancer survivors describe what they need from their doctors. This video is filled with tips to help clinicians support their patients during “The Crisis of Cancer.”
Communicating with Cancer Patients & Families: Can it be Taught, Learned or Assessed? - Communication is a skill that can be learned, taught and assessed. Good communication helps improve patient care, research and other aspects of oncology. This video describes some of the road blocks to effective communication, and how we teach communication skills across the spectrum of oncology professionals. Only RME credit is available (RME available only to physicians enrolled in The University of Texas Professional Liability Insurance Plan).
Did They Get It? Strategies for Making Sure Patients and Families Understand Your Message - Daniel Epner, M.D. demonstrates key communication strategies that are essential when talking with patients and families and ensuring that they understand important information about their treatment plan. Dr. Epner is teaching these skills to an audience of MDs, nurses, PAs, Social Workers, and others.
Presentation slides (pdf)
RME credit available
Using Action Methods to Improve Communication Skills - Action methods are derived from psychodrama and sociodrama using group enactments of life situations to help clients deepen their understanding of and resolve interpersonal conflicts or mental problems.
On Being an Oncologist - A reflection on the challenges of treating a life-threatening illness such as cancer brought home by actors William Hurt and Megan Cole. Available for CME credit or RME credit (RME available only to physicians enrolled in The University of Texas Professional Liability Insurance Plan).
OncoTalk Teach Videos: These videos illustrate specific skills that are useful in communicating with patients, and in teaching communication to trainees.
Resources
Featured Topic - Daniel Epner, M.D., discusses American Society of Clinical Oncology Statement: Toward Individualized Care for Patients With Advanced Cancer.
I*CARE Roundtable - Interviews with notable experts in the field of communication who have presented at the Achieving Communication Excellence (ACE) lecture series.
Around the World - Updates on communication skills programs of interest in different countries around the world.
Schwartz Center Rounds - The purpose of the Schwartz Center Rounds is to provide a multidisciplinary forum where caregivers discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients. The Rounds, which differ from typical medical rounds, offer an open and relaxed forum where caregivers have the opportunity to discuss in depth, explore and reflect upon issues beyond the clinical. The goal is to provide immediate support and information for caregivers in their often difficult and stressful roles, promote teamwork and ultimately enhance the relationship and understanding between patients and caregivers.
Educational Materials
Pocket Guide of Culturally Competent Communication (pdf) - Free download of ways cultural competence can help you plan patient care.
On Being An Oncologist (pdf) – This workbook accompanies the video above and can be used to promote and foster discussions related to the demands, the rewards, the emotional costs and personal burdens that oncology places on clinicians.
Telly Awards 2010
I*CARE Wins 3 Telly Awards for "Crossroads" module