Good Doctors Need Great Communication Skills

Communication is important in the boardroom, court house and in the operating room?

It’s important for all professionals to have effective communication skills, even those in careers where communication is seemingly unimportant.

Good doctors communicate effectively with patients—they identify patients' problems more accurately, and patients are more satisfied with the care they receive. But what are the necessary communication skills and how can doctors acquire them?

When doctors use communication skills effectively, both they and their patients benefit. Firstly, doctors identify their patients' problems more accurately.1 Secondly, their patients are more satisfied with their care and can better understand their problems, investigations, and treatment options. Thirdly, patients are more likely to adhere to treatment and to follow advice on behaviour change.2 Fourthly, patients' distress and their vulnerability to anxiety and depression are lessened. Finally, doctors' own wellbeing is improved.3–5 We present evidence that doctors do not communicate with their patients as well as they should, and we consider possible reasons for this. We also describe the skills essential for effective communication and discuss how doctors can acquire these skills.

http://www.bmj.com/content/325/7366/697.extract

Job Hunting tips for 2010 Graduates

There was an interesting article in the Boston Globe about "soft skills" you can learn and improve to become a stronger candidate for your dream job!

Here is tip #7:
7. Flaunt those soft skills
Melanie Parker, executive director for global education and career development at MIT, said employers are looking for "soft skills" like leadership ability and teamwork. Jason Luring, senior manager for university relations at Abbott Labs, said his company is one of those employers

Luring said Abbott evaluates candidates on interpersonal skills as well as technical prowess: “What are their leadership attributes? What are their communication skills like?”

David Ong, director of corporate and college recruiting at professional services firm Maximus Inc., said his company prioritizes soft skills because it's harder to teach interpersonal skills than technical knowledge. "It’s really difficult to increase their soft skills in a short period of time.”


If you want to read the article in its entirety, please copy this link: http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/gallery/tipsfor2010grads?pg=8

Women's Business Network

Ever thought, “I should have said...” or reflected on a conversation and thought, “Wow, why didn’t I...” Ladies, learn to think fast and hit that pitch! This highly energetic interactive workshop will polish your ability to develop one of the most powerful and widely sought after skills by business professionals today - thinking fast on your feet! Develop your professional “Pitch Kit” for any quick communication situation where you need to respond with ʻsound bitesʼ or those 30-90 second pitches--concise, condensed, and creative. You will learn the tools and tips for developing a unique presentation style and creating an instant impact. By learning and using proven and effective broadcasting and commercial techniques, you will build an arsenal of options. We will work to create a stylized pitch that is unique to you and work on techniques to enhance and improve the skill of selling you. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned high-level executive looking to leverage your promotion opportunities, this experience will challenge you to consider how to package yourself to project a strong impression and presence to your audience. Professional training will target verbal and non-verbal delivery techniques, content, time, theme, and other tools to strengthen vocal & speech patterns. This will be a fun, relaxed workshop that will include practice time and participants will be invited to raise questions and discuss particular situations.

Network of Exec Women

So, have you ever thought, “I should have said...” or reflected on a conversation and thought, “Wow, why didn’t I...” Ladies, learn to think fast and hit that pitch! This highly energetic interactive workshop will polish your ability to develop one of the most powerful and widely sought after skills by business professionals today - thinking fast on your feet! Develop your professional “Pitch Kit” for any quick communication situation where you need to respond with ʻsound bitesʼ or those 30-90 second pitches-concise, condensed, and creative. By learning and using proven and effective broadcasting and commercial techniques, you will build an arsenal of options. We will work to create a stylized pitch that is unique to you and work on techniques to enhance and improve the skill of selling you. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned high-level executive looking to leverage your promotion opportunities, this experience will challenge you to consider how to package yourself, so as to project a strong impression and presence to your audience. Professional training will target verbal and non-verbal delivery techniques, content, time, theme, and other tools to strengthen vocal & speech patterns. This Workshop will include practice time and participants will be invited to raise questions and discuss particular situations.

Rock Star Speakers Meet-Up!

Whether you are a seasoned speaker or just starting out, we are the group for you. We welcome from all levels, backgrounds, and industries those who want to learn new skills, exchange ideas, and become more comfortable, confident speakers. We offer a relaxed, casual, and trusting environment where you can feel safe trying out your speeches and presentations and have fun doing it!

We will bring in rock star speakers to cover a wide range of topics including:
--Effective presentation techniques
--Developing a powerful presence
--Commanding an audience
--Overcoming the fear of speaking
--Vocal and speech techniques

The Rock Star Speakers Meet-up meets every third Thursday of every month. These meetings are complementary and there is never a charge to come and speak!





For more information, please go to:

www.meetup.com/The-Rock-Star-Speakers-Group/