Discuss diagnoses and management plans with patients and their families or carers
This activity requires the ability to:
- communicate with patients and their families or carers from a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
- communicate with colleagues and other staff
- use of different modalities for communication, such as face-to-face, email, or phone calls
- perform this activity in multiple settings, including inpatient and ambulatory care settings and in emergency departments.
Behaviours
Each EPA has lists of behaviours. The behaviours help trainees understand how they can improve, and help supervisors to make decisions about whether trainees can be trusted to do the task with supervision at a distance
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- applies knowledge of the scientific basis of health and disease to the management of patients
- demonstrates understanding of the clinical problem being discussed
- formulates management plans in partnership with patients and in collaboration with the health care team
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- adapts their communication style in response to patients’ age, developmental level, and cognitive, physical, cultural, socioeconomic, and situational factors
- avoids the use of medical jargon
- engages patients in discussions
- selects appropriate modes of communication, including technology options
- understands the inherent pitfalls of using social media with individual patients
- works in partnership with patients to make choices that are right for them, including explaining diagnoses, management plan and prognosis
- checks patients’ understanding of information
- deals with conflicts appropriately
- collaborates with patient liaison officers as required
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee may:
- unnecessarily interrupt a consultation or procedure to check information
- dismiss or interrupt patients’ comments
- defer or avoid difficult or ambiguous conversations
- ignore or inadequately address patients’ questions or concerns
- base communication on a template, with no variation in approach based on age, demographic, cognitive, physical, cultural, socioeconomic, or situational needs
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- participates in processes to manage patient complaints
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee may:
- become defensive in challenging situations, such as following patient complaints
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- responds appropriately to information sourced by patients and to patients’ knowledge regarding their condition
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- refers to evidence-based clinical guidelines
- demonstrates understanding of the limitations of evidence and the challenges of applying research in daily practice
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- identifies when to use an interpreter and uses them appropriately
- allows sufficient time for communication across linguistic and cultural barriers
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee may:
- be discourteous or culturally insensitive
- use unskilled or inappropriate people to translate
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- consistently considers patient privacy and confidentiality
- respects preferences of patients
- communicates appropriately, consistent with the context, and respects patients’ needs and preferences
- maximises patient autonomy and supports their decision making
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- recognises their own limitations and seeks help when required in an appropriate way
Not yet ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Examples of behaviours of a trainee not yet ready to perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee may:
- inadequately consult with senior colleagues
Ready to perform with supervision at a distance
Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity with supervision at a distance.
The trainee:
- communicates with and involves other health professionals as appropriate