Teaching Communication Skills: Preparing Senior Health Care Professionals to Facilitate an Advanced Communication Skills Experiential Workshop for Cancer Care Clinicians
Thursday, 20 September 2007 - 1:30 - 5:00 pm
presented by Susie Wilkinson PhD and Andrew Hoy PhD

Workshop Objectives:

The attendee shall be able to:

• Gain insight into the running of a National 3-day communication skills training programme for senior health care professionals in cancer care.
• Assimilate knowledge in how to train and work with simulated patients/actors in role play.
• Build confidence and skills in managing role play.
• Examine and appraise a method of assessing facilitator competency.

Workshop Description:

The role of communication skills in caring for patients with cancer cannot be overstated. To improve communication skills, the UK NHS Cancer Action Team hosts a national training programme. This innovative workshop will outline and address the issues of rolling out a national programme of communication skills training for senior health care professionals in cancer care. In particular, it will focus on the experiential components of the “Wilkinson” variant 3-day workshop, such as setting an agenda, managing role play and working with actors. Methods of assessing trainee facilitator competency will also be explored. This workshop is suitable for all healthcare professionals who are actively involved or interested in teaching communication skills.