Internal Medicine — Core of Discipline

C2b Assessing and managing patients with complex chronic conditions - Part B: Patient Education/Communication

Key Features:

- This EPA focuses on the care of patients with chronic disease, in any care setting, across the breadth of chronic conditions. This EPA includes clinical assessment, evidence informed decision making and judicious use of health care resources.
- This EPA includes patients whose condition is complex, and therefore requires a patient centered approach considering the patient’s treatment goals, interactions between different diseases and treatments, consideration of multimorbidity and frailty and, often, coordination with other physicians and health care professionals.
- The observation of this EPA is divided into two parts: assessment, diagnosis and management; and a patient centered approach to communication, counselling and education.

Assessment Plan:

Part B: Patient Education/Communication

Direct observation of patient education by supervisor, with input from other health professionals and/or the patient and/or family

Use Form 1. Form collects information on:
- Input from (select all that apply): other health professional; patient; family
- Setting: ambulatory; inpatient

Collect at least 5 observations of achievement

Milestones

• COM 1.6. Adapt communication to the unique needs and preferences of the patient

• HA 1.1. Recognize potential barriers to comprehension and learning such as illness, literacy and language skills

• ME 2.3. Establish goals of care in collaboration with the patient and family

• COM 3.1. Provide information to patients and their families clearly and compassionately

• COM 3.1. Provide explanations that are clear and accurate while checking for understanding

• COM 4.3. Use communication skills and strategies that help the patient make informed decisions

• HA 1.2. Select patient education resources

• HA 1.2. Work with the patient to increase opportunities to adopt healthy behaviours