Developing Communication and Counselling Skills in Medicine by Corney, Roslyn;

Short description:

First published in 1991, Developing Communication and Counselling Skills in Medicine is the first book written with a predominantly practical and skills learning approach specifically for medical students. The book offers clear guidance to health professionals on how to deal with patients effectively and sympathetically.

Long description:

The need to train health professionals in communication skills is widely recognized. Good doctor/patient interaction has a positive effect on recovery from illness, decreasing patients’ anxiety, improving compliance with treatment, and reducing common causes of patients’ complaints.  First published in 1991, Developing Communication and Counselling Skills in Medicine is the first book written with a predominantly practical and skills learning approach specifically for medical students.

The book offers clear guidance to health professionals on how to deal with patients effectively and sympathetically. The emphasis is on how the reader can acquire knowledge and on guiding the development of skills using case examples. The chapters discuss general issues, basis of the approach, and difficult situations in which medical professionals find themselves—breaking bad news, dealing with complaints, supporting the distressed, or interviewing angry or aggressive patients. The volume also includes a chapter on the importance of a self-support system for the clinician. The contributors are all well-known, distinguished clinicians with extensive knowledge and experience of working in the area.

Review of the first publication:

‘…particularly well-written and well-balanced accounts by experts in special fields.’

— J Bird, Postgraduate Medical Journal, Volume 68, Issue 804

Table of Contents:

Part 1: Basic issues and skills  1. The need for better communication and emotional support  2. Emotional responses in patients and doctors  3. Developing communication and interviewing skills  4. Providing relevant information for patients and their families  Part 2: Developing specific communication and counselling skills  5. Identifying emotional and psychosocial problems  6. Managing difficult communication tasks  7. Communication in terminal illness and bereavement  8. Crisis intervention with cancer patients  9. The diagonis of patients at risk of psychiatric disorder  10. Interviewing and counselling children and their families  11. Interviewing the aggressive patient  12. Handling complaints  13. Using cognitive-behavioural techniques  Part 3: The role of the doctor and other professionals  14. Looking after yourself  15. The role of other organizations