Course: Communication with a Patient in Praxis

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Course title Communication with a Patient in Praxis
Course code PVL/VAB12
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study 1
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 1
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Navrátilová Daniela, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Štěpánek Ladislav, doc. MUDr. Ph.D.
  • Menšík Michal, Ing. Ph.D.
  • Trajerová Renata, Mgr.
Course content
Principles of good communication; special features and rules of communication in chosen fields of medicine; communication with patients with special needs (model situation); social psychology of personality; communication typology, psychological communication games.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Observation, Projection (static, dynamic), Activating (Simulations, Games, Dramatization)
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is: 1) to familiarize students with the basic rules of verbal and non-verbal communication, to teach students how to address staff in an academic setting and medical practice, to know the rules of written communication, to practice the principles of courtesy, to understand the ethical principles of communication in medicine, to show how ethics and law can be linked in medical practice based on knowledge of codes and standards; 2) understanding student ego defence mechanisms, working with self-knowledge methods, explaining and practicing an assertive approach in medical practice, explaining the concepts of harassment, bossing and mobbing and showing case studies of such situations and possible solutions, knowledge of the Palacký University Code of Ethics, which addresses ethical behaviour of academic staff and students in education, science and research; 3) to familiarize students with the SPIKES communication algorithm, and the importance of professional communication between doctor and patient, to show students different types of communication strategies suitable for communication in medicine and to teach them to use these strategies in time-limited situations using examples from practice.
Students will be familiar with the principles of professional communication between a physician and a patient, they will be able to determine the patient´s understanding of health and disease, to understand the strategy of communication in problematic patients, to understand the basics of psycho-therapeutic approach to the patients with specific needs and specifics of communication in chosen fields of medicine.
Prerequisites
Communication skills. Knowlege of the English language.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Systematic Observation of Student

Active participation and completing tasks during seminars, 100% attendance, and a summary of the subject matter will be the final conversation between the students and the teacher on a selected topic of the completed course. The practical training (example of good practice, model situations, use of real situations) is part of each seminar.
Recommended literature
  • Berring, R.C., Chan, A.A. (2013). Women and Sexual Harassment. A Practical Guide to the Legal Protections of Title VII and the Hostile Environment Claim. Taylor & Francis.
  • Kurtz, S., Silverman, J. (2004). Teaching and Learning Communication Skills in Medicine. Radcliffe Publishing.
  • Roter, D., Hall, J.A. (2006). Doctor Talking with Patients / Patients Talking with Doctors. Wesport: Praeger Publishers.
  • Silverman, J., Kurtz, S., Draper, J. (2013). Skills for Communicating with Patients. New Yort: Radcliffe Medical Press.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Study plan (Version): General Medicine (2025) Category: Medical sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter