In order to bring a change awareness is always the first step towards it. According to the Oxford Learners Dictionary the word awareness means knowing that something exists and is important to address it. We can bring a change only when we are aware of existing problem, understand it with an open mind and then look out for possible ways to tackle it.

Let’s take the most recent incident of death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. It touched all our hearts. It drew focus of entire nation on how insensitive we are towards mental health. This incidence not only shed light on such sensitive topic but also opened a nationwide dialogue. This has made people more sensitive resulting in formation of peer groups, motivating sufferers to seek help, normalizing mental diseases and help to overcome social stigmas. Thus, awareness was the first step which resulted in some positive change.

Similarly, to be a whole professional apart from scientific knowledge and technical skill expertise, the Doctor should have effective clinical communication skills. For instance, effective communication helps in rapport formation which in turn make it easy for the patient to be honest and speak up. This is extremely important for taking comprehensive history and reaching correct diagnosis. We know that while effective clinical communication skills build trustworthy relationships, ineffective clinical communication skills break trustworthy relationships.  In sum, to be a better Doctor the first step is to be aware of the significance of clinical communication skills in clinical practice.

Facing the context of strained Doctor-Patient relationships, we all feel the need to learn clinical communication skills. Because awareness is the first step in bringing in the change, we at Glocal academy are raising awareness about Clinical Communication Skills. We are doing that by delivering structured courses, encouraging students to organise Listening in Healthcare Café conversations, creative educational activities on social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn) and encouraging students to write about clinical communication topics.

I am contributing to this awareness campaign by writing because it is one of my strengths. Other students are helping in their own means. We need your help to reach out to  wider audience. We need you because it is mine, your and everybody’s responsibility to enhance healthcare communication.  

Question: How can you help us in raising awareness about the significance of clinical communication skills in clinical practice and actually implement it?

Author

Riddhi Gupta

First Year, Medical Student