When clinicians communicate effectively, patients retain more information, have higher trust and a better quality of life. Such a patient-centred approach is the future of clinical care, and this book is an essential how-to guide on improving these skills. Grounded in innovative and evidence-based methodology, perfected through over twenty years of teaching in the VitalTalk training program, content includes foundational communication skills, how to help patients plan for the future, what to do when you are really stuck, and strategies to work through conflicts with colleagues. In this updated edition, emphasis is placed on the roles privilege, race, and power play in the medical encounter, and new tools are provided to help clinicians navigate this landscape with greater self-awareness and sensitivity. This practical guide is filled with skills and roadmaps, demonstrating how to be clearer when sharing information, more competent at understanding patient concerns, and more effective when making recommendations.

Preface; Acknowledgments; 1. Taking your skills to the next level; 2. Foundation communication skills; 3. Talking about serious news; 4. Discussing prognosis; 5. Planning for the future: discussing what's important, well before a crisis; 6. Discussing treatment decisions; 7. Between the big events; 8. Goals of care in late- stage disease; 9. Conducting a family conference; 10. Dealing with conflicts between clinicians and patients; 11. Working through conflicts with colleagues; 12. When you're really stuck; 13. Talking about dying; 14. Cultivating your skills; Index.