David Dickson

A survey of communication skills training in UK schools of medicine: present practices and prospective proposals.

It is now widely accepted that effective interpersonal communication is at the heart of quality health care delivery but that current standards in medicine must be improved ( Numann 1988 ; Cowan et al. 1992 ). One approach acknowledged by the General Medical Council (1991 ) devotes more attention during training to the theme of communication, and quite significant modifications of the undergraduate medical curriculum are presently taking place. This article documents the results of a postal survey of the 26 UK Schools of Medicine, designed to illuminate current practices and future plans in respect of communication skills training (CST). As such, it takes advantage of the present period of ongoing curricular innovation and change to extend and update earlier reviews ( Whitehouse 1991 ; Frederikson & Bull 1992 ). A total of 19 responses was received. Following preliminary analysis, the four schools who had already implemented their new curriculum were selected for further in‐depth investigation by means of telephone interviews. In addition to reporting frequencies and percentages for responses to questions, cross‐tabulations were carried out to explore relationships between certain of the findings. Apart from some consistency in CST teaching methods adopted, the overall picture to emerge is one of considerable variability in such areas as course content, timing, duration and assessment. Foremost among the difficulties encountered in implementing CST appeared to be lack of adequate physical resources and suitably trained staff. Future plans were often sketchy and inchoate. Results are discussed and tentative recommendations for the further development of CST in the medical curriculum proffered.

Communication skills for effective management

Introduction: The World of the Communicative Manager Its Not What You Say: Communicating Non-verbally They Could Be Persuaded: Using Your Managerial Influence Lets Get Together: Teams at Word Steering The Way: Leading Meetings That Work That Silver-tongued Devil: Making Presentations Matter We Can Work It Out: Negotiating and Bargaining Will They Buy It?: Why Managers Must be Able to Sell Calling All Organisations: The Business of the Telephone Writing Matters: How to Create the Right Impression Tell It Like It Is: Communicating Assertively Whats Your Problem: Helping in the Workplace The War For Talent: Selection Skills for Busy Managers Feedback Time: Performance Appraisal and Management Following The Correct Path: The Guiding Lights of Ethics and Audits Index

Communicating Social Identity: A Study of Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland

This article examined communicative aspects of social identity theory in the context of the deeply divided community of Northern Ireland. Self-disclosure was selected for analysis, given its central role in the development of cross-group friendships and related reduction of negative bias towards the outgroup. In view of previous research on factors that mediate the decision to self-disclose to the outgroup, and using the Disclosure Decision Model as a guiding framework, the authors hypothesized that outgroup contact would be a key determinant of disclosure but that contact would be mediated by degree of trust and attraction for the outgroup, as well as by strength of ingroup identification. The findings supported these predictions. The results are discussed both in relation to the importance of communication facets of social identity theory and in light of wider policy implications for cross-group communication in Northern Ireland.

Working Together in a Divided Society A Study of Intergroup Communication in the Northern Ireland Workplace

During the past 30 years, workplaces in Northern Ireland have suffered the consequences of ongoing political and religious conflicts, often resulting in severe operational disruptions and financial loss. Yet little if any research has explored organizational communication in divided workplaces such as those in Northern Ireland. This study examines intergroup relations and communication within such settings. It employs a range of research methodologies to ascertain the perceptions and perspectives of employees in four of the largest workplaces in Northern Ireland, including their perceptions about appropriate ways to deal with contentious issues. The findings should be relevant to those interested in communication in diverse workplaces.

Are important corporate policies understood by employees? A tracking study of organizational information flow

Purpose – This paper aims to present the results of a study into the effectiveness of the communication of anti-sectarian legislation in four of the largest public and private sector organizations in Northern Ireland (NI). The study had two related central objectives. Firstly, to ascertain the level of employee understanding of anti-sectarian rules and regulations in NI workplaces, and, secondly, to evaluate the relevance of an Episodic Communication Channels in Organization (ECCO) approach to the investigation of this key aspect of organizational practice. Design/methodology/approach – An ECCO questionnaire was used to evaluate and track employee understanding of existing legislation, and chart the sources, channels, location and timing of information dissemination. Findings – A clear finding was that there was a paucity of employee understanding of existing policies and procedures with regard to sectarianism. Practical implications – The results are discussed in relation to the importance of effective information flow on key organizational issues. Originality/value – The efficacy of ECCO as a communication audit tool for charting information dissemination is evaluated.

Communicating sensitive business issues: Part 1

This is the second of a two‐part article reporting the results of a study which investigated communication and relationships in the workplaces of four large organizations in Northern Ireland, two in the public sector and two in the private. A central purpose of the research was to evaluate suitable methods for auditing relationships among staff. Based on a review of the apposite literature on organizational and relational communication, the most promising techniques finally selected were the focus group approach, retrospective interview technique, social network analysis, and critical incident technique. In Part 1 the first two of these techniques were evaluated. Now, in Part 2 social network analysis and critical incident technique are similarly examined, in terms of their potential to generate quality data on the types of association that typify those who share a work environment. In a final conclusion to the two‐part article, recommendations for using qualitative and quantitative methods for auditing internal relationships are also offered.

Interpersonal communication in the health professions: A focus on training

Abstract The field of Health Psychology has enjoyed a prodigious growth over the past 15 years. The interpersonal dynamic of the practitioner-patient relationship is one of the areas which has been illuminated thereby accentuating its contribution to effective levels of health care. This paper examines the concepts of interpersonal communication and communication skill. The contribution of skilful communication by health workers to the success with which they discharge their professional duties is considered and present standards of practice critically assessed. Specific areas of inadequacy are identified and possible causative factors postulated. Amongst such factors would appear to be a relative neglect of the interpersonal dimension of the work of the health practitioner during training. A case is made for increased attention being devoted to promoting this facet of professional competence. The major thrust of the paper develops this theme by elaborating a systematic and structured framework for instru...

Sectarianism in the Northern Ireland workplace

Purpose – The aim of this piece of research was to detail the scope and nature of sectarianism as experienced by employees, managers and those with trade union responsibilities, in the Northern Ireland workplace.Design/methodology/approach – Four large organizations, two from the private and two from the public sector, were recruited to take part in this qualitative study. In‐depth interviews were carried out with managers and trade union personnel. Focus groups were run with employees.Findings – Data were submitted to thematic analysis. The major themes to emerge included: the extent of experienced sectarianism, sources of sectarianism, the nature of sectarian harassment, “tolerable” sectarianism, and the management of difference.Research limitations/implications – Short‐comings of the study include the possibility that social desirability effects could have operated to underplay sectarian attitudes. Again the limitations of a qualitative methodology in providing estimates of the extent of sectarianism i...

An evaluation of communication skills training for physiotherapy students

This evaluation study concerned the modules of communication skills training in the second, third and fourth years of an undergraduate programme of study in an honours degree course in physiotherapy. Questionnaires were administered to the students to ascertain their attitudes to the training programme. Lecturers in physiotherapy who were not involved in the training programme were interviewed regarding their perceptions of the importance of this communication skills training. The results show a positive attitude towards the skills training, and the important relationship with good clinical practice was emphasized.

An empirical investigation of the effects of a microcounselling programme with social work students: The acquisition and transfer of component skills

Abstract Microcounselling has become widely used with various professional groups as a systematic approach to improving interviewing and counselling skills (Ivey & Authier, 1978). Although reviews of research largely attest to its effectiveness (Hargie & Saunders, 1983; Baker & Daniels, 1989), such conclusions have been based on outcome criteria which, for the most part, have been essentially second-order and proximal (Dickson, 1981). The present study, which utilized a multiple baseline design, was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of a programme of microcounselling, undertaken by social work students, in terms of both the initial acquisition and subsequent transfer of the interpersonal skills of non-verbal communication, questioning, reflecting, listening, explaining, set induction, and closure. While the training intervention was adjudged to have been successful with regard to the initial acquisition of skills, only limited evidence was found of performances generalizing from role-play to ‘real prob...