News, Articles and Media

In this blog, a medical student reflects on a serious incident he witnessed during a Gynaecology placement. He observed a conversation between a patient (waiting to have an operation that morning) and

A short video demonstrating some motivational interviewing skills in a healthcare context.

In this short post, we discuss the importance of being honest with someone when telling them they have cancer. We suggest avoiding euphemistic language, as this can have a negative impact on patients

Reflections on end of life planning, fostering empowering conversations and creating a roadmap for the inevitable, and finding moments of joy within life's complexities.

Coupled with effective communication, health promotion becomes a powerful tool that empowers individuals and communities to take charge of their well-being.

Nonyelum is a student pharmacist and has written a blog to advise people how they can utilise their local pharmacists to help with their care needs.

Nonyelum writes about how important it is to utilise the experience and knowledge of the carers who look after family or others who have a form of learning disability.

The shocking experience of a Chief Nurse who, armed with insider knowledge, recognized a concerning lapse in effective communication.

These two students write about the experiences of healthcare students working on placements within the NHS, and offer some insights and strategies for helping students.

Fejiro summarises findings from medical students working within the NHS, when asked to describe their experiences of good and not so bad communication experiences they have witnessed or experienced.

It is crucial to acknowledge that unkindness can manifest itself within the workforce; we need to learn to be kind to each other.

A short clip to help people consider how to talk to patient's who have dementia or alzheimers.  

A nurse suspends her agenda to acknowledge a patient isn't able to listen to her.

A snap shot of a conversation between a nurse and patient prior to starting chemotherapy.

The nurse listens to the wife of a patient talk about her concerns that her husband's health is deteriorating.

A nurse has picked up that a patient is frustrated with her care and spends some time listening to her.

This is an example of a nurse talking to a distressed patient on the telephone.

This video clip is about confronting a colleague about their behaviour.

Alison's story shows how miscommunication has a long-lasting impact on emotional well-being and perception of care.

Supporting students in clinical placements is paramount to their learning and continued professional development.

We summarise our thoughts following a recent advanced communication skills course with a group of healthcare Consultants. Creating a community of practitioners can reduce consultant burnout.

Nonyelum shares her thoughts about the importance of non-verbal communication between patients and healthcare professionals and provides some tips about how we can improve our skills.

Nonyelum is a pharmacy student but is very active within the BAME community and is passionate about supporting BAME healthcare professionals. She has written a blog to show how this can be achieved.

This blog provides details and links to various complaints services within the NHS.

Jillian shares her expertise of talking to people with learning disabilities

We consider ways we can help healthcare professionals (HCPs) practice self care. Through reflection and experiential learning they can learn to throw the proverbial monkey off their backs.

Administration is a vital part of the NHS, and when it goes wrong, it can have a huge impact on patients.

Online services in primary care.

Patients have told us they are confused by the term self-management and what it means for them and their healthcare? Are they to be abandoned and left to their own devices?

Translation is a language barrier for many people, especially in the ever-growing globalised societies we live. We will touch on some of the pros and cons of using family members to translate.

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Recently my friends and I have realised that we are using medical jargon without even noticing. We are medical students and are continually learning.

The NHS has been preparing to embed online consultations in primary care (GP surgeries for some time)

Preparing for difficult conversations with others is key. SPIKES is a helpful strategy to help healthcare professionals have difficult conversations and is outlined in this blog.

There has never been a more significant time to pull together. Especially when we need to be creative in the way we teach and deliver communication skills training.

After seeing the doctor in the emergency department, an appointment was made to see a specialist doctor (Consultant) at my local hospital.

As I sit at home, reflecting on the bad news the doctors have given me, I feel a little embarrassed.

So, how did I end up receiving bad news about cancer? Well, after a testing day of cycling, I ended up in the Emergency Department (ED) with a suspected broken back. What happened?