COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND ANAESTHESIOLOGIST -Communication skills needed to i) Counsel patients preop ii) For improving compliance with

treatment iii) For breaking bad news -Benefits of improved physician patient communication i) Benefits to patient *Patient satisfaction ii) Benefits to staff *enhanced personal, professional self-esteem & work satisfaction *general improvement in interaction with colleagues iii) Benefits to health providing organization *enhanced reputation of the institution among patients, referring doctors, community in general *decrease in litigation by patients -TOOLS OF THE TRADE: COMMUNICATION SKILLS i) Establishing rapport -involves following skills a) Non-verbal response *making and maintaining eye contact

*positioning ourselves appropriately in the room *tone and volume of voice *Mirroring-adopting some aspects of the patients body language b) Non-verbal *extremely powerful *Listening-attentively-understanding the patients background, beliefs and concerns *encouraging-the patient to speak using simple prompt of nodding and interjection ii) Asking questions -closed questions-time saving -leading questions -the patients deserve to be listened without hindrance. iii) Developing self awareness -before helping others, the physician needs to be aware of her/him. -APPLYING THE SKILLS 1) INTERVIEW i) Beginning-introduction to be made, purpose to be outlined ii) Middle-dealing with feelings -acknowledge them without being judgmental

-anger is common, when compounded by outbursts, it is better to stay calm. -acknowledge the anger and try to identify the contributing reasons -Anxiety-commonest feelings that are encountered -underlying perception is that of loss of control -Strategies-involve the patient in decision making process -Imparting information-ask the patient what they already know -patient should be given time to react and the Opportunity to ask questions. because it is Important to assess the impact of the news. -explaining complex concepts simply *using complex information in simple terms without medical jargon *start by asking what the patient knows *wise to check, understanding from time to time *end by summary -breaking bad news *bad news-death-small chance of survival in ICU -operation has to be cancelled Therefore use simple language iii) ending-to summarize