Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Patients often judge their physicians by their interpersonal skills. As physicians we also judge each other by how clearly we communicate. Residents at all levels of training should be able to do the following: 

1. 1. Articulately present full histories and physicals.
2. Summarize relevant aspects of history, physical, diagnostic testing and assessment and plan.
3. Should welcome, mentor and teach learners of all levels.
4. Display empathy and competence while interviewing and examining patients.
5. Attend Learning to TALK sessions.

PGY-1 Interpersonal and Commuication Skills Objectives

PGY-1 residents will:

1. Provide complete and accurate documentation of patient care that is legible and timely.
2. Demonstrate appropriate verbal and nonverbal skills in patient and colleague interaction.
3. Respect appropriate boundaries of patients and colleagues that follow the tenets of ethics in patient care and professionalism.
4. Show ability to work in teams with junior and senior colleagues, attendings, students, nurses and social workers.
5. Supervise, teach and give constructive feedback to students.
6. Participate in videotaped patient and teaching encounters to improve communication skills.

PGY-2 Interpersonal and Commuication Skills Objectives

In addition to the above objectives, PGY-2 residents will:

1. Engage patients in difficult discussions (examples include end-of-life-care) and successfully negotiate with "difficult" patients.
2. Evaluate and give constructive feedback to junior team members about their presenting skills.
3. Successfully manage, take charge and coordinate care when they are the senior resident on an inpatient team. This includes setting expectations, encouraging academic discussions and insuring that patients are well informed about their medical conditions and clinical plan of action.
4. Communicate clearly with team members, consultants, primary care physicians, patients and families.

PGY-3 Interpersonal and Commuication Skills Objectives

In addition to the above noted objectives, PGY-3 residents will:

1. Be able to negotiate most difficult patient situations with minimal direction.
2. Function as team leaders with decreasing reliance upon attending physicians.
3. Develop skills for effective public speaking and teaching.
4. Demonstrate the ability to articulate/advocate for issues of ethical concern, quality improvement, and patient safety.