Tag: communication skills
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Bad news and emotions: caring for others and self
Sometimes it seems that there is only bad news and on days like those it is harder to remember the heart-warming events of my health professional life. Distressing episodes are more likely to pop into my mind and are more poignant. My earliest memory of having to break bad news as a doctor was during my…
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Getting to know you…
How much should a health professional know about a patient or client? When I consult with a patient new to me and new to the practice, I know their name, address, gender and age but typically little else. When I see these bare demographic details on the computer prior to meeting the person, I am already…
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First do no harm – but to err is human
During my hospital-based training, a senior clinician advised me that it would be unlikely that I would go through my medical career without receiving any complaints about my work. He was right. As health professionals we tread the line between doing no harm and keeping patients safe, while being human and therefore not omnipotent. Fortunately for me,…
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Language, context & communication
I am learning Italian. A new language is difficult at my age but also a good exercise for the brain. The app I am using is a fun way to tackle the basics, with exercises that include listening to sentences and then translating them. This reminds me how easy it may be to listen but difficult…
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Let’s talk about sex(ual) history
Looking back in disbelief at my early years as a GP, I wonder how it was ever possible to have a 10-minute consultation for a first contraceptive pill prescription.
Health professional education and practice 