Innovative patient-centered skills training addressing challenging issues in cancer communications: Using patient's stories that teach.

This workshop demonstrated the utility of a patient-centered web-based/digital Breaking Bad News communication training module designed to educate learners of various levels and disciplines. This training module is designed for independent, self-directed learning as well as group instruction. These interactive educational interventions are based upon video-recorded patient stories.

Assessing communication competence: a review of current tools.

Background: The assessment of communication competence has become a major priority of medical educational, policy, and licensing organizations in the United States and Canada. Multiple tools are available to assess communication competence, but there are few studies that compare the tools.

Methods: A consensus panel of six family medicine educators evaluated 15 instruments measuring the physician-patient interview.

Is communication a skill? Communication behaviors and being in relation.

Patient-physician communication has been conceptualized as both a skill and as a way of mindful "being in relation" to the other. Summarizing research and theoretical analyses, the two approaches are differentiated. The skill-focused approach to communicative competence relies heavily on observed behaviors; the mindful being-in-relation approach emphasizes the perceived effects of the relationship on the participants.