Good communication can enhance health outcomes!
Increasingly, physicians are recognizing the key role that effective communication plays in improving patient health outcomes and physician satisfaction. Find out more about better physician-patient communication in "Talking Tools" and "It Helps To Talk".
Talking Tools I - Better Physician - Patient Communication for Better Patient Outcomes
(86 Pages - 786 KB in PDF Format)
Talking Tools I is an hour-long interactive presentation kit aimed at helping to raise physicians' awareness about the importance of patient-physician communication. It is designed to be delivered by a single presenter to groups of practising physicians. While the kit uses the example of breast cancer to demonstrate the importance of good patient-physician communication, it can be used by physicians working in any medical specialty.
Talking Tools II - Putting Communication Skills to Work: Course Book
(A three-hour Interactive Course for Practising Physicians)
(100 Pages - 1,367 KB in PDF Format)
The Course Booklet provides all the information and materials needed to run two separate, three-hour courses, each focusing on different communication skill sets. By providing a "hand-on" learning experience for practising physicians, Talking Tools II builds on the awareness-raising of Talking Tools I.
Talking Tools II - Putting Communication Skills to Work: Resource Booklet
(A three-hour Interactive Course for Practising Physicians)
(39 Pages - 316 KB in PDF Format)
The Resource Booklet presents evidence of the benefits of good communication as well as a detailed discussion of a dozen
specific communication skills and how they may be used.
Talking with Your Doctor - Communication Basics for Cancer Patients: Workshop Kit
(25 Pages - 156 KB in PDF Format)
Cancer patients have a lot to deal with when they are given the terrifying news that they have cancer. As a patient, your entire life has been turned upside down, and you still have to make frightening decisions about medical treatments and adjusting your family life. Good communication skills can help.
The Talking Tools I video
(11:33 - 103 MB in AVI Format)
The Talking Tools I video shows some techniques and tools physicians can use for communicating effectively with their patients. It is not intended to depict the "perfect" physician-patient interview, rather it demonstrates one approach to successful communication in a "real life" situation.
To download the file right click on the link and choose:
"Save Target As" (Internet Explorer) or
"Save Link As" (Netscape)
Patient Consultation Planner
(2 Pages - 66 KB in PDF Format)
Talking with your doctor about your concerns can make you feel more comfortable, and that's an important part of getting better. The Patient Consultation Planner can help make it easier for both of you.
