Internal Medicine — R1 Academic Day
Workshop: Communication skills
Teaching
Competencies covered in this activity
| 1. Establish professional therapeutic relationships with patients and their families | ||||||
| 1.1. Communicate using a patient-centred approach that encourages patient trust and autonomy and is characterized by empathy, respect, and compassion | ||||||
| 1.2. Optimize the physical environment for patient comfort, dignity, privacy, engagement, and safety | ||||||
| 1.3. Recognize when the values, biases, or perspectives of patients, physicians, or other health care professionals may have an impact on the quality of care, and modify the approach to the patient accordingly | ||||||
| 1.4. Respond to a patient’s non-verbal behaviours to enhance communication | ||||||
| 1.5. Manage disagreements and emotionally charged conversations | ||||||
| 1.5.1. Demonstrate sensitivity to the emotional and psychological impact of acute emergency situations on patients and families, and provide appropriate counseling | ||||||
| 1.5.2. Communicate effectively with patients and their families about terminal illness and bereavement, including: | ||||||
| 1.5.2.1. Care of the dying | ||||||
| 1.5.2.2. Goals of care | ||||||
| 1.5.2.3. Medical assistance in dying (MAID) | ||||||
| 1.5.2.4. Immediate aftermath of bereavement | ||||||
| 1.5.2.5. Organ donation requests | ||||||
| 1.5.2.6. Requests for postmortem autopsies | ||||||
| 1.6. Adapt to the unique needs and preferences of each patient and to his or her clinical condition and circumstances | ||||||
| 1.6.1. Tailor approaches to decision-making to patient capacity, values, and preferences | ||||||
| 2. Elicit and synthesize accurate and relevant information, incorporating the perspectives of patients and their families | ||||||
| 2.1. Use patient-centred interviewing skills to effectively gather relevant biomedical and psychosocial information | ||||||
| 2.2. Provide a clear structure for and manage the flow of an entire patient encounter | ||||||
| 2.3. Seek and synthesize relevant information from other sources, including the patient’s family, with the patient’s consent | ||||||
| 2.3.1. Request and synthesize patient information gathered by another health professional | ||||||
| 3. Share health care information and plans with patients and their families | ||||||
| 3.1. Share information and explanations that are clear, accurate, and timely while checking for patient and family understanding | ||||||
| 3.1.1. Convey information related to the patient’s health status, care and needs in a timely, honest, and transparent manner | ||||||
| 3.1.2. Provide information about all relevant treatment options, to facilitate shared decision-making | ||||||
| 3.1.3. Provide information about end of life care options | ||||||
| 3.1.4. Validate the patient’s and family’s understanding of medical information | ||||||
| 3.2. Disclose harmful patient safety incidents to patients and their families accurately and appropriately | ||||||
| 4. Engage patients and their families in developing plans that reflect the patient’s health care needs and goals | ||||||
| 4.1. Facilitate discussions with patients and their families in a way that is respectful, non-judgmental, and culturally safe | ||||||
| 4.2. Assist patients and their families to identify, access, and make use of information and communication technologies to support their care and manage their health | ||||||
| 4.3. Use communication skills and strategies that help patients and their families make informed decisions regarding their health | ||||||
| 4.3.1. Avoid the use of medical jargon and technical terminology | ||||||
| 4.3.2. Encourage questions about diagnosis, prognosis, and ongoing care | ||||||
| 5. Document and share written and electronic information about the medical encounter to optimize clinical decision-making, patient safety, confidentiality, and privacy | ||||||
| 5.1. Document clinical encounters in an accurate, complete, timely, and accessible manner, in compliance with regulatory and legal requirements | ||||||
| 5.1.1. Document clinical encounters to adequately convey clinical course, clinical reasoning, and the rationale for decisions | ||||||
| 5.1.2. Adapt the written consultation to the purpose and nature of the consultation request | ||||||
| 5.2. Communicate effectively using a written health record, electronic medical record, or other digital technology | ||||||
| 5.3. Share information with patients and others in a manner that respects patient privacy and confidentiality and enhances understanding | ||||||