Ability I: Effective Communication

The competent graduate demonstrates effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills in a wide range of activities, including patient care, consultation and teaching. The graduate has the communication skills to establish rapport with and the ability to counsel patients and their families. Criteria for Assessment: 1. Uses written language effectively with the following: -History and physicals -Progress notes -Discharge summaries -Prescriptions -Hospital orders 2. Uses verbal and non-verbal skills effectively with the following: A. Physician-patient communication -Builds rapport with patients; demonstrates both verbally and non-verbally interest in patients medical and psychosocial well being -Effectively and efficiently gathers relevant patient history -Counsels patients on disease processes and plan of care in understandable terms B. Communication with families -With patient consent, communicates diagnoses and plan of care to family members -Counsels and educates family on patients disease processes and

plan of care -May facilitate family discussions about disease processes C. Communication with peers and colleagues -Presents patients history, physical, assessment and plan efficiently, logically and effectively -Communicates with consulting physicians -Actively participates in rounds -Teaches junior members/allied health professionals on team -Gives oral presentations about subjects of interest 3. Employs effective listening skills: -Uses active and responsive listening skills, accurately interpreting both verbal and nonverbal messages while facilitating effective communication 4. Demonstrates sensitivity and is responsive to gender, ethnic, socioeconomic and other diversities in an individuals background.