Patient and Carer Perspectives on 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.

This microlearning considers the journey from cancer diagnosis, highlighting communication stories that “went well” and “did not go well” and the impact this had on patient and carers’ experiences of care.

Consumers present the entire content of this video resource.

Aim: To improve patient-clinician communication

Learning Objectives: During this microlearning you will compare communication stories that “went well” and “did not go well” and explore the impact this had on patient and carers’ experiences of care.

Watch: Patient and carer perspectives on communication

This 16 minute video is targeted at clinical staff and considers the journey from cancer diagnosis highlighting communication stories that “went well” and “did not go well” and the impact this had on patient and carers’ experiences of care.

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.

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