Defining ‘difficult’ conversations and the role of different health professionals

In the following video, psychologist Justine Diggens discusses the range of difficult conversations that can arise in the health care context and the different roles that different health professionals can take in these conversations.

Considerations when communicating with patients about informational and emotional concerns

In the following video, VCCC psychologist Justine Diggens discusses important considerations when communicating with patients about informational and emotional concerns

Strategies for communicating with patients about informational and emotional concerns

The animated poster below will take you through two communication strategies that help identify, understand and respond to patients’ informational and emotional concerns. Sections of this poster contain interactive elements. When you see the click symbol , be sure to hover your cursor over all the symbols to reveal the pop-up window and learn more.

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