Interview Skills Training

Formal Communication Skills Training for Doctors

This training day offers you the opportunity to learn highly valued communication skills, in a setting that is relaxed, enjoyable and non-threatening. We know that many doctors need communication skills training, fewer actually want it and very few want to be preached at by "communication experts", "life coaches" or similar.

Competency in communication skills is important for Foundation and Specialty Training Doctors, and by attending this course you are demonstrating your commitment to and recognition of these essential skills.

We have been running highly successful courses available only to Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust doctors for a number of years. The feedback from these short courses has been extraordinary. The main thrust has been that the doctors felt at the beginning of the morning that they "had" to be there - and by the end they "wanted" to be there.

The skill that we have is turning a rather dry subject matter into something that is interesting, evidence-based and, crucially, into a format that doctors in training, working on the wards, working in clinics can relate to and enjoy. Communication skills need not be a boring concept to which you pay lip service. By learning new skills and concepts - which you'll do on this course - that you can import directly into your working day, you'll hopefully see an instant improvement in your communication with patients, their families, and your professional colleagues. The potential effect that this has is immense - not only very useful for clinical exams, doctors trained in communication are less stressed, and more effective. This is a carefully constructed course delivered by highly experienced consultants - truly by doctors for doctors.

Now for the first time we are allowed to release a limited number of places to non-internal doctors. This training is generic, and therefore highly suitable for foundation, specialty registrar grade doctors and other health professionals interested in developing advanced knowledge and skills.Communication with colleagues and critical aspects of communication with patients are covered.

The next course will be in June 2008. It is a highly sought-after half day course held at Hammersmith Hospital. Click here to email to get more details and to book your place. Mrs McNamara is the PGMC Manager at Hammersmith Hospital.