Curriculum standards

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• use appropriate communication strategies and modalities for communication, such as emails, face-to-face, or phone calls, and the use of interpreting services as required
• elicit patients’ views, concerns, and preferences, promoting rapport
• provide information to patients in plain language, avoiding jargon, acronyms, and complex medical terms
• consider the use of technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), in the development of written communication, where appropriate
• encourage questions, and answer them thoroughly
• ask patients to share their thoughts or explain their management plans in their own words, to verify understanding
• convey information considerately and sensitively to patients, seeking clarification if unsure of how best to proceed
• treat children and young people respectfully, and listen to their views
• recognise the role of family and/or carers, and, when appropriate, encourage patients to involve their family and/or carers in decisions about their care

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• select appropriate modes of communication
• engage patients in discussions, avoiding the use of jargon
• check patients’ understanding of information
• adapt communication style in response to patients’ age, developmental level, and cognitive, physical, cultural, socioeconomic, and situational factors
• collaborate with patient liaison officers as required

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• discuss with patients their condition and the available management options, including potential benefits and harms
• provide information to patients in a way they can understand before asking for their consent
• consider young people’s capacity for decision making and consent
• recognise and take precautions where patients may be vulnerable, such as issues of child protection, self-harm, or elder abuse
• participate in processes to manage patients’ complaints

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• inform patients of the material risks associated with proposed management plans
• treat information about patients as confidential

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• discuss the aetiology of diseases, and explain the purpose, nature, and extent of the assessments to be conducted
• obtain informed consent or other valid authority before involving patients in teaching

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• respond appropriately to information sourced by patients, and to patients’ knowledge regarding their condition

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• provide information to patients that is based on guidelines issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and/or Health Research Council of New Zealand
• provide information to patients in a way they can understand before asking for their consent to participate in research
• obtain an informed consent or other valid authority before involving patients in research

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• refer to evidence-based clinical guidelines
• recognise the limitations of the evidence and the challenges of applying research in daily practice

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• demonstrate effective and culturally safe communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori, and effectively communicate with members of other cultural groups by meeting patients’ specific language, cultural, and communication needs
• use qualified language or cultural interpreters to help meet patients’ communication needs
• provide plain language and culturally appropriate written materials to patients when possible

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• identify when to use interpreters
• communicate effectively with members of other cultural groups by meeting patients’ specific communication, cultural, and language needs
• incorporate appropriate LGBTQIA+ safe language

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• encourage and support patients to be well informed about their health, and to use this information wisely when they make decisions
• encourage and support patients in caring for themselves and managing their health
• demonstrate respectful professional relationships with patients
• prioritise honesty, patients’ welfare, and community benefit above self-interest
• develop a high standard of personal conduct, consistent with professional and community expectations
• support patients’ rights to seek second opinions
• document communications with patients accurately and thoroughly

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• respect the preferences of patients
• communicate appropriately, consistent with the context, and respect patients’ needs and preferences
• maximise patient autonomy, and support their decision making
• avoid sexual, intimate, and/or financial relationships with patients
• demonstrate a caring attitude towards patients
• respect patients, including protecting their rights to privacy and confidentiality
• behave equitably towards all, irrespective of gender, age, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual preferences, beliefs, contribution to society, illness-related behaviours, or the illness itself
• use social media ethically and according to legal obligations to protect patients’ confidentiality and privacy

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• communicate effectively with team members involved in patients’ care, and with patients
• discuss medical assessments, treatment plans, and investigations with patients and primary care teams, working collaboratively with all
• discuss patient care needs with healthcare team members to align them with the appropriate resources
• facilitate an environment in which all team members feel they can contribute, and their opinion is valued
• communicate accurately and succinctly, and motivate others on the healthcare team

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• answer questions from team members
• summarise, clarify, and communicate responsibilities of healthcare team members
• keep healthcare team members focused on patient outcomes

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• collaborate with other services, such as community health centres and consumer organisations, to help patients navigate the healthcare system

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• communicate with and involve other health professionals as appropriate