Communications

Programmes

Effective communication is crucial in the provision of good patient care but can become challenging, especially when handling cancer patients. To better equip junior doctors rotating through Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Palliative Medicine in NCCS, he Division of Medical Oncology conducts a communication course to empower them with the required skillsets to communicate empathetically and sensitively with patients and families in the Oncology and Palliative Medicine setting.

In this programme, learners improve their communication skills by engaging in role-playing exercises and tutorials on breaking bad news, communicating with empathy and engaging in serious illness conversations.

Duration: 6 months

Frequency: Monthly

Target audience: Medical officers rotating through NCCS divisions

Course Content

1) Pre-course role play with standardized patient (baseline assessment) 2) Teaching sessions 3) Post-course role play

Funding

The programme has received the Academic Clinical Programme (ACP) grant of $50,000.

Publications on Communication

Ng, Cheng Han; Ong, Zhi Hao; Koh, Jeffery Wei Heng; Ang, Rachel; Tan, Laura; Tay, Kuang Teck; Chin, Annelissa; Toh, Ying Pin; Zhou, Jamie; Krishna, Lalit. (2020). Enhancing Interprofessional Communications Training in Internal Medicine. Lessons Drawn From a Systematic Scoping Review From 2000 to 2018. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. 40. 27-35. 10.1097/CEH.0000000000000278.
Tan, X.H., Foo, M.A., Lim, S.L.H. et al. Teaching and assessing communication skills in the postgraduate medical setting: a systematic scoping review. BMC Med Educ 21, 483 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02892-5
Ong, Z. H., Tan, L. H. E., Ghazali, H. Z. B., Ong, Y. T., Koh, J. W. H., Ang, R. Z. E., Bok, C., Chiam, M., Lee, A. S. I., Chin, A. M. C., Zhou, J. X., Chan, G. W. H., Nadarajan, G. D., & Krishna, L. K. R. (2021). A Systematic Scoping Review on Pedagogical Strategies of Interprofessional Communication for Physicians in Emergency Medicine. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 8. https://doi.org/10.1177/23821205211041794
Venktaramana, V., Loh, E. K. Y., Wong, C. J. W., Yeo, J. W., Teo, A. Y. T., Chiam, C. S. Y., … Krishna, L. K. R. (2022). A systematic scoping review of communication skills training in medical schools between 2000 and 2020. Medical Teacher, 44(9), 997–1006. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2022.2054693
Ting JJQ, Phua GLG, Hong DZ, et al. Evidence-guided approach to portfolio-guided teaching and assessing communications, ethics and professionalism for medical students and physicians: a systematic scoping review. BMJ Open 2023;13:e067048. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067048