English translation of Chapter 4 (Bab 4) of Standar Kompetensi Dokter,

published by the Indonesian Medical Council (Konsil Kedokteran

Indonesia), October 2006, titled Standards of Medical Competency
C. Description of competencies

C.1 Effective communication

C.1.1 Core competency

Able to explore and exchange information
verbally and non-verbally with patients of any
age, family members, communities, colleagues
and other professionals.
C.1.2
1.
1.1

The graduate is able to:

Communicate with the patient and
members of his/her family.

Establish rapport with the patient and

his/her family.
a. Greet the patient
b. Make the patient feel comfortable
c. Show empathy and trustworthiness
d. Listen actively (be attentive, and give
enough time to the patient to express
his/her complaint and to explore his / her
problem)
e. Summarize the patients problem, worries
and hopes
f. Always establish and maintain the
patients dignity, confidentiality and
privacy

English translation of Chapter 4 (Bab 4) of Standar Kompetensi Dokter,

published by the Indonesian Medical Council (Konsil Kedokteran
Indonesia), October 2006, titled Standards of Medical Competency
C. Description of competencies

C.1 Effective communication

g. Treat the patient as an equal and ask for

his/her agreement in deciding on therapy
and medical procedures
1.2

Collect information
a. Able to use open-ended and closed
questions in acquiring information (move
from open to closed questions)
b. Ask for clarification from the patient
about any of his/her statements which
cannot be clearly understood
c. Use clinical reasoning in exploring the
history of the present illness, family
history, and history of past illness
d. Conduct data exploration logically and
efficiently
e. Not give education and explanation
prematurely while collecting information

1.3

Understand the patients perspective

a. Respect the patients belief in everything
related to his/her illness
b. Explore the patients needs, worries, and
hopes

English translation of Chapter 4 (Bab 4) of Standar Kompetensi Dokter,

published by the Indonesian Medical Council (Konsil Kedokteran
Indonesia), October 2006, titled Standards of Medical Competency
C. Description of competencies

C.1 Effective communication

c. React professionally to the patients

expression of emotion (anger, fright,
shame, sadness, confusion, euphoria) and
to the patient with communication
problems e.g. deaf, mute, psychological
disorder
d. Respond professionally to the patients
verbal and non-verbal language
e. Be sensitive to local biological,
psychological, social, cultural factors and
norms in order to implement and maintain
holistic therapy, and to maintain a
professional doctor-patient relationship
f. Use polite and understandable language
(including local language) which is
appropriate to the patients age and level
of education, in asking questions,
summarizing information, and explaining
the diagnosis, the chosen management and
the prognosis
1.4 Give explanations and information

English translation of Chapter 4 (Bab 4) of Standar Kompetensi Dokter,

published by the Indonesian Medical Council (Konsil Kedokteran
Indonesia), October 2006, titled Standards of Medical Competency
C. Description of competencies

C.1 Effective communication

a. Anticipate and reduce the patients feeling

of fright and stress before physical
examination
b. Warn the patient when physical
examination and clinical procedures may
cause pain or discomfort
c. Give correct, clear, complete and honest
explanations regarding the aims, goals,
benefits, and risks of diagnostic
procedures and medical procedures
(therapy, surgery, prognosis, referral)
before they are undertaken
d. Answer questions honestly, and provide
consultation or referral for difficult
problems
e. Provide education or health promotion for
the patient and his/her family
f. Reconfirm that the patient has understood
all of the information and choices about
potential procedures
g. Give enough time for the patient to
reconsider and consult before agreeing to
a procedure

English translation of Chapter 4 (Bab 4) of Standar Kompetensi Dokter,

published by the Indonesian Medical Council (Konsil Kedokteran
Indonesia), October 2006, titled Standards of Medical Competency
C. Description of competencies

C.1 Effective communication

h. Deliver bad news professionally in

accordance with medical ethics
i. Confirm the availability of the health
services that have been chosen and agreed
2.

Communicate with medical colleagues

a. Give timely and accurate information to
colleagues about the patients condition,
verbally, in writing or electronically to
meet the needs of the patient, health care
and medical science
b. Write a referral letter and / or report on the
patients management accurately to meet
the needs of the patient, health care and
medical science
c. Present a case report effectively and
clearly to meet the needs of the patient,
health care and medical science

3.

Communicate with the community

a. Use language which the community can
understand
b. Explore the health problems perceived by
the community

English translation of Chapter 4 (Bab 4) of Standar Kompetensi Dokter,

published by the Indonesian Medical Council (Konsil Kedokteran
Indonesia), October 2006, titled Standards of Medical Competency
C. Description of competencies

C.1 Effective communication

c. Use effective verbal communication

techniques so that the community
understands health as a desirable state
d. Use media and community activities
effectively when promoting health
e. Involve public figures in health promotion
professionally
4.

Communicate with other professionals

a. Listen attentively and give sufficient time
to other professionals to give their opinion
b. Give timely and accurate information to
insurance companies in processing claims
c. Give relevant information (whenever
needed) to the legal system or when acting
as an expert witness in court
d. Negotiate with other interested parties in
order to solve health problems in the
community

English translation of Chapter 4 (Bab 4) of Standar Kompetensi Dokter, published

by the Indonesian Medical Council (Konsil Kedokteran Indonesia), October 2006,
titled Standards of Medical Competency
C. Description of competencies

C.1 Effective communication