The Importance of Good Communication

A vital component of any health care consultation is the manner and nature of communication between the clinician and the patient.

Effective communication can make all the difference.

Sometimes it is the simplest things – the right word of reassurance at the right time, or having your partner actively included in a care conversation can be highly effective ways to build and enhance the doctor-patient therapeutic relationship.

Many clinicians do this incredibly well but there is always room for improvement.

Aim: To improve patient-clinician communication

Learning Objectives: During this microlearning you will:

explore the positive impact effective communication can have on the quality of care provided to people with cancer and their families.
explore effective ways to build and enhance the doctor-patient therapeutic relationship.

Patients’ perspective

The below video explores the importance of communication from a patient perspective.

Benefits of effective communication

Watch the video below in which psychologist Justine Diggens discusses the benefits for patients of effective communication.

Want to know more?

Experts from the VCCC Alliance have designed an online education program for clinical staff to practice and refine their patient communication skills: Communication Strategies in Patient Care.

This microlearning has been adapted from the course Communication Strategies in Patient Care.

Communication Strategies in Patient Care was the brainchild of a multidisciplinary team from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Western Health, Bendigo Health and the University of Melbourne. Former and current patients; men and women, young and old, from a range of backgrounds, who are passionate about sharing their experiences to improve things for others, have generously given their time to the project.

The project was developed by:

Dr David Kok – Radiation Oncologist, Director of Training, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and VCCC Alliance Convenor, Master of Cancer Sciences
Ms Justine Diggens – Senior Clinical Psychologist, Peter Mac
Dr Daniel Sapkaroski – Radiotherapist and Clinical Educator, Peter Mac
Dr Sathana Dushyanthen – Medical Educator, University of Melbourne and VCCC Alliance

Project sponsors:

A/Professor Jennifer Weil – Deputy Director Palliative Care Medicine, Palliative Medicine Physician and Palliative Care Clinical Trials Lead, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne
Dr Alex Clinch, Peter Mac Palliative Care Consultant, Deputy Director Parkville Integrated Palliative Care Service - The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre