EVENT OVERVIEW

Communication skills for professionals including advance care planning

This is a two day interpersonal communication skills course at intermediate level which is aimed at qualified professionals who regularly contribute to the management of care for people approaching the end of life. It aims to equip them to listen to and sensitively explore needs and preferences regarding issues of care.

Recent government policy highlights the need for greater involvement of patients and families in end of life decision making and yet there is evidence that the workforce lacks confidence and skills. Through exploration of theoretical principles of interpersonal communication and advance care planning and practical workshops, the course will encourage participants to reflect on their own misconceptions, blocks and anxieties and to develop a strategy for future practice development.

• Topics
• Who is it for

• What will I learn?

  • Understand the principles of successful interpersonal communication
  • Understand the importance of good communication in end of life care
  • Explore the challenges in communicating with patients, families, carers and other professionals about end of life issues
  • Identify your own strengths and weaknesses related to communication skills
  • Develop your interpersonal communication skills through practical workshops and role play
  • Understand the importance of effective communication in advance care planning.

• Who is it for?

  • Specialist palliative and end of life care practitioners
  • Any NHS, allied health or social care professionals who regularly work with life-limiting illness of uncertain prognosis
  • Social workers, care home managers or social care managers