Post Graduate Communication Conference 9/11/11

On Thursday I had the opportunity to be an active observers on a communication course alongside doctors and dentists. This postgraduate conference day was focused on communication skills associated with teaching and learning.
During the day we learnt about body language, the importance of engaging with the learner and used actors and role play sessions to practice and learn.
The course started with a world cafe activity, in which we moved tables and discussed skills and attributes possessed by good leaders, teachers and how to give good criticism.
http://www.theworldcafe.com/
We went on to look at cultural differences and issues surrounding different common beliefs. Sometimes we do make assumptions that every reads from the same hymn sheet, however this is often not the case. By being patient and courteous we can reach a common ground. It is all the people involved's responsibility to adapt to the changes and to be curious rather than judgemental.
We later looked at assertion and how it is very different from aggression. Assertion is expressing yourself without putting yourself or others down.

During the day I had the chance to speak to and work with doctors and dentists. One of the junior doctors I spoke to noted how different post graduate learning as a newly qualified doctor to the teaching in medical school in terms of support and style. I spoke to an optometrist who got into his field of speciality after working on eyes in surgery. He explained that the hardest part of the job is not being able to help all his patients. It is difficult when you are presented with blind patients who you cannot give them their sight back. Sometimes he felt he wasn't making a difference to the patients he cares for.

I really understand this feeling of helplessness as when working with the elderly, it is inevitable that their conditions will get worse over time. I feel you have to look to make a difference to them in other ways such as  through conversations and showing an interest in their lives.
I also spoke to a doctor who focuses on  palliative care in a hospice setting, she had originally trained as a nurse. We shared a discussion in our tea break about how important it is to offer patients good communication and the time to talk towards the end of their lives. She had real faith that the personal attributes and experience I possess will really help me in my future medical career.