Transcript Language & communication skills

Developing
Language and Communication Skills for
Ethical Professional Interactions in Medicine
through Foreign Language Teaching
Ioana Crețu
“Gr. T. Popa” University Iasi
“Al. I. Cuza” University Iasi
LSP / Language for Specific Purposes
Addresses the specific needs and preferences of the learner
Deals with language and communication specific to the
learner’s field
Uses methods and activities from the learner’s field
(Dudley-Evans & St.John, 1998, Dudley-Evans, 2001)
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Begins with needs analysis
Incredibly diverse field
(e.g. EAP, EMP…)
LSP twists and turns
Learner aware of needs?
Learner’s needs = field needs?
Social functions overlooked?
“Hidden discourse” overlooked?
(Basturkmen, 2006; Bell, 2002; Gatehouse, 2001; Hirvela, 1997; Hutchinson & Waters, 1991 etc.)
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Greater responsibility for the language teacher
Need for a dynamic curriculum
Invitation to explore the learner’s field
From LSP to CLIL / Content and Language Integrated Learning
Our research in LSP for Medicine
(moral) nature of medical interactions?
 “ideal”
ethical professional behaviour?
underpinning knowledge, skills & attitudes?
language, communication & other related skills?
(un)suitable educational approach?
Romanian educational context & learners?
 needs
& SWOT?
pilot LSP approach aiming to develop language and
communication skills for ethical medical interactions
Ethical professional behaviour
Consensus across nations + RO
General
• Adherence to highest ethical standards, moral independence,
respect & non-discrimination, dignity, honour, honesty,
integrity, correctness…
Interacting with patients & families
• Altruism, compassion, empathy, responsibility, devotion,
partnership, informed consent, confidentiality…
Interacting with healthcare team
• Team spirit, leadership, being a model for others…
(UNESCO, WMA, AMA, ABIM, AAMC, ACGME, ACP-ASIM, EFIM, GMC, CMR…)
Language & communication skills
Overwhelming proofs of importance
of effective & ethical communication
– verbal & non-verbal
– intra-personal & inter-personal
– basic (general) & advanced (specific)
in building the therapeutic relationship
• securing/enhancing outcomes for all
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correct & complete diagnosis & treatment
trust in doctors & system
informed consent & compliance
health and quality of life
satisfaction for all involved
Inter-persnal communication
Basic
opening & closing encounters
building rapport & emotional support
questioning & active listening
giving instructions & making requests
explaining & checking understanding
obtaining informed consent
Advanced
dealing with “challenging” patients
• aggressive, withdrawn, special needs etc.
dealing with “challenging” encounters
• sensitive issues, bad news, conflict, mistakes
(WFME, AAMC, ACGME, GMC, SDMCG, The Tuning Project etc.)
Other skills: intuition & metacognition
Important in
Self-reflection & self-regulation
Perspective taking, understanding others
Picking up & responding to verbal & non-verbal
(emotional) cues
– conveying empathy, negotiating with & educating the patient
Moral judgment in everyday & exceptional circumstances
Teamwork
Learning from observations and experiences
Low metacognitive skills => coming across as selfish and insensitive
(Quirk, 2006)
Educational approach
Across the curriculum & within CME
Explicit & subliminal contents
Methods & techniques
lectures & presentations
small-group moral dillemma discussions
values clarification interactive games
use of demo/authentic materials
teamwork
simulations & role-play
(recorded, with feedback & discussion)
use of standardized/simulated patients
use of suggestive literature & arts
portfolios and journals…
Current state of our research
Advanced literature review & theoretical
argumentation
Action-research cycle at UMF Iași
Small-scale surveys of perceptions & attitudes
Update of Medical English course syllabus
Ongoing piloting of methods & materials
Design survey for SWOT analysis of
Romanian medical education system
Future steps
Polish up theoretical part, present report
by June 2010
Carry out survey, produce SWOT, present report
by September 2010
Carry out didactic experiment at UMF Iași
during the academic year 2010-2011
Complete & defend PhD thesis
by September 2011
Questions and suggestions?
My website: www.englishmediator.com
My email: [email protected]