Communication Skills

1. Communication Skills Dr. Fahad Al-Wahhabi MBBS, FRCPC

2. Relative contributions of history-taking, physical examination, and laboratory investigation to diagnosis and management of medical outpatients 80 new referrals History taking 66 correct diagnosis Physical examination 7 correct diagnosis Laboratory investigations 7 correct diagnosis BMJ 1975

3. Contributions of the history, physical examination, and laboratory investigation in making medical diagnoses 80 new referrals History taking 61 correct diagnosis Physical examination 10 correct diagnosis Laboratory investigations 9 correct diagnosis West J Med 1992

4. Definitions • Medical interviewing • Communication skills • Interpersonal skills

5. Values to be communicated in doctor-patient encounter • Respect • Expertise • Commitment • Empathy

6. Patient may be reluctant or fail to mention problems if they believe • That nothing can be done • The doctor will be burdened • That it is not the doctor’s job to deal with their problems • That their worst fears may be confirmed • The doctor is unsympathetic

7. PROMOTING COMMUNICATION • Introducing yourself to the patient • Discover the agenda • Ensure that time sequences are made clear • Help patients focus on their problems

8. PROMOTING COMMUNICATION • Ensure privacy • Try to exhibit a neutral approach • Assess how problems are affecting the patient • Talk slowly

9. Things to avoid • Excessive close-ended questions • Switching subjects abruptly • Ignorance of body language • Medical jargon

10. Tools for Improvement • Practice…Practice…Practice • Accept feedback • More practice