Advanced Communication Skills for the NHS

Improves communication skills, providing doctors with an advanced skill set for both individual purposes and within their teams across the NHS. The programme includes:

• Barriers to communication
• Selecting the correct method of communication
• Non-verbal forms of communication and behaviour
• Building rapport and why it breaks down
• Influencing and assertiveness
• Hints and tips on the art of persuasion

Awareness of Mental Health and Dementia

This is a combined course, helping medics to become aware of the causes of mental health and dementia, and the care delivery these conditions include. Raising the awareness and stigmas surrounding both conditions will help you to treat your patients. The course modules include:-

Mental Health

• Raising awareness and mental health literacy
• Reducing stigma around mental health
• Boosting knowledge and confidence in dealing with mental health issues
• Promoting early intervention to enables recovery

Dementia

• The signs and symptoms of dementia
• Risk reduction, raising awareness that ‘what is good for your heart is good for your brain’
• Where to find additional resources to find out more information about dementia

Handling Difficult Conversations

Designed to teach proven approaches and techniques to handle difficult and uncomfortable situations. The programme includes:

• Understanding different personality types and exploring the differences
• Dealing with conflict and difficult situations
• Breaking bad or sensitive news
• Recognising and diffusing aggression
• Saying 'No' politely and effectively
• Influencing skills to pacify angry or emotional people
• Strategies for regaining control
• Bringing calm
• Arriving at a satisfactory conclusion

Improving Patient Experience and Clinical Excellence

Focuses on the key skills and competencies required to fully focus on putting the patient first. The programme includes:

• Identifying the elements of good patient experience
• Building strong patient relationships
• Recognising different personality styles and responding accordingly

Locum Best Practice  

This course has been developed and is delivered by the GMC's Regional Liaison Advisors. It comprises four interactive training sessions:

• Good Medical Practice
• Professional Patient Partnerships
• Personal Beliefs and Confidentiality
• Leadership and Management

Mastering Stress and Anxiety

This course will benefit those working in high-pressure environments, who are required to maintain a cool head at all times. This includes:

• What are anxiety and stress, and when do they become a problem?
• The evolution of stress – getting to grips with the human physiological response of anxiety as a natural survival instinct
• How thoughts affect the way that we feel; a closer look at the relationship between our thinking, feelings and behaviour
• Understanding our own triggers and situations that make us feel vulnerable to stress
• Making changes and overcoming obstacles
• Exploring ways to demolish worry and procrastination
• Coping with setbacks and keeping going

Mindfulness for Medics 

This course has been designed to benefit those wishing to introduce a degree of self-awareness and calm into their daily activities. This includes:

• What is Mindfulness?
• Why practice Mindfulness? Explore its benefits for health and well-being
• Understanding the territory of the mind, how our thoughts affect the way that we feel
• Stepping out of our automatic pilot
• Bringing Mindfulness into your daily life
• Developing self-compassion, learning to be kinder to yourself
• Barriers and obstacles
• Review personal objectives