The areas covered by the workshops include:
- Basic communication skills
- Non-verbal communications
- Communicating after an adverse outcome
- Inter-professional communications
- Difficult interactions
- Shared decision-making.
Different techniques and skills are provided for each area but all the workshops share key themes.
Starting with Mastering Your Risk and working through Mastering Adverse Outcomes, Mastering Professional Interactions, Mastering Difficult Interactions with Patients and the new Mastering Shared Decision-Making, the workshops build upon one another.
They each offer participants the chance to rehearse communication techniques, while revisiting key ideas and refreshing skills. Each workshop also encourages doctors to reflect on their own actions and behaviours.
The aim is that over time, by gradually helping members challenge and change their attitudes towards communications, the workshop will ultimately produce a step change in their communication skills. This will lead to a reduction in risk for the doctor and an improved patient experience.