CAREER-ADVANCING TECHNIQUES FOR TRAINEES
CAREER-ADVANCING TECHNIQUES FOR TRAINEES
I am the only non-medical professional in the UK to have been permitted (at the time of writing) to observe the CSA, i.e., the Clinical Skills Assessments, the final practical exam trainee GP’s must take, involving simulated surgeries with role-playing actors, in session at the Royal College of General Practitioners.
A member of the Specialist Support Group for a decade, I now coach trainee doctors and hospital registrars for the Professional Support and Wellbeing Unit at Health Education Wessex and also provide coaching for KSS, (Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex) on all aspects of medical interpersonal skills and personal impact.
Jo Murphy
Advanced Interactive Communication Skills London, UK Specialist
Please find me on Facebook at doctors interpersonal skills
Before moving into the coaching arena, I was a Theatre Director and Theatre Studies Specialist in my role as Artistic Director of the Bedales Olivier Theatre in Petersfield for nine years.
I was originally commissioned by Dr Richard Weaver, (former Director of GP Education and Head of School at HEE Wessex) to design and run all-day Communication Skills Intensives (the CSI) for International Medical Graduates and UK GP and hospital trainee graduates alike, which I took across Health Education Centres across the UK. I have also delivered ‘Training the Trainers’ interactive lectures and presentations for all experienced GP Trainers across Health Education Wessex, as requested by Professor Dr Johnny Lyon-Maris (Associate GP Dean & Visiting Professor, University Hospital, Southampton) and have taken similar sessions for GP Programme Directors at KSS.
I am an Advanced Interactive Communication Skills Specialist calling on a range of techniques from my embodied drama-based background. Until now, I have offered practical one-to-one coaching sessions and also interactive lectures for large groups of GPs and Junior Doctor trainees, where they have learnt my approach through experiential exercises to perfect what I call the Heightened Professional Persona and the Great Duet: the latter involving the interplay between face and gesture in professional interactions. I have also coached on a wide range of other techniques and problem issues.
I’m one of the very few practitioners who interpret communication skills from the stand-point of my long experience in education and, specifically, theatre and drama, where, additionally, my combined experience as a director, actor, production manager, and one-to-one coach fuses into an original blend of specialist knowledge, insight – and, (when and, importantly, if appropriate) – humour!
I have put all my coaching and lecturing expertise into The DIS 360 and, instead of offering face-to-face work, I will be taking live monthly Q & A sessions on Facebook – and a YouTube channel is also planned.
Good communication skills are paramount in the medical profession for several reasons. Firstly, effective communication is essential for building trust and rapport with patients. Clear and empathetic communication helps alleviate patient anxiety, fosters a sense of understanding, and encourages open dialogue, leading to more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
Moreover, in healthcare settings, communication isn’t limited to patient interactions; it extends to collaborating with colleagues, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Efficient communication ensures seamless coordination of care, preventing errors, and enhancing patient safety.
Additionally, conveying complex medical information in a comprehensible manner is crucial for patient education and informed decision-making. Physicians must be able to translate technical jargon into layman’s terms to ensure patients fully grasp their conditions, treatment options, and potential risks.
Furthermore, effective communication skills are vital in handling difficult conversations, such as delivering bad news or discussing sensitive topics like end-of-life care. Compassionate and respectful communication during these moments is crucial for maintaining patient dignity and providing emotional support.
Overall, good communication skills are indispensable in the medical profession as they underpin successful patient care, teamwork, patient education, and ethical practice.
