Communication Skills for Surgeons: A Contemporary Guide

Communication is a crucial "soft skill" for surgeons, and it is now recognized as a core component of holistic surgical practice. It involves interacting with patients, colleagues, and other medical professionals, and it is essential for improving patient outcomes, satisfaction, and reducing adverse events. This textbook is aimed at medical students, surgical trainees, and surgical consultants and provides frameworks and strategies for effective communication in various scenarios.

Format: Hardback
Length: 157 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Historically, communication was considered a secondary or "soft skill" for surgeons. However, in modern surgical practice, astute communication has emerged as a fundamental element of holistic surgical practice and is recognized as a core component of the "Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons."

Effective communication is essential throughout every patient interaction, including history taking, explanation, consent, breaking bad news, and managing challenging encounters such as demanding or angry patients. Good communication with patients fosters trust, compliance, and overall satisfaction, reduces complaints and malpractice claims, and contributes to a positive patient experience.

Moreover, high-quality communication is crucial when interacting with colleagues in various settings, such as the theatre, on the ward, during referrals, and in organizing special tests. In the fast-paced environment of medical professionals, concise and relevant communication is paramount. Team structures must empower all members to speak up to prevent harm and ensure optimal outcomes.

Suboptimal communication is a leading cause of serious adverse events in healthcare. Furthermore, good communication reduces job stress and enhances satisfaction for surgeons.

It is important to note that good communication is not an inherent behavior but rather a learned skill that is based on key principles. Studies have consistently demonstrated that education in communication improves patient outcomes and satisfaction. Various frameworks have been described to facilitate effective communication in specific scenarios, such as SPIKES for breaking bad news, SBAR for handover, surgical briefs, and de-briefs.

This textbook is designed to cater to medical students, surgical trainees, and surgical consultants worldwide. It is relevant to everyday practice, examinations, and OSCEs, including medical exams. By enhancing communication skills, surgeons can provide better care, build stronger relationships with patients and colleagues, and ultimately contribute to improved patient outcomes.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 159 x 242 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031122125
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022